Catalytic effect of commercial nano-CuO and nano-Fe2O3 on thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Size reduction of the catalyst increases the surface area, and hence, the catalytic activity is also increased. The decrease in temperature of decomposition of ammonium perchlorate in the presence of nano-copper oxide and nano-ferric oxide is investigated within the scope of this study. Different mixes of ammonium perchlorate with nano-ferric oxide and nano-copper oxide were prepared. Differential scanning calorimetry test results show that addition of nanometer-sized ferric oxide and copper oxide leads to a significant decrease in higher decomposition temperature of ammonium perchlorate. The most significant decrease in the decomposition temperature was observed in the presence of 3% of nano-copper oxide.