Nanoferrites: Catalyst for Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Per Chlorate

Nanoferrite nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical coprecipitation method. The ferrite nanoparticles such as Zn, Mn, Ni, Co, and Cu were prepared. All nanoparticles were characterized by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The average particle of Zn, Mn, Co, Ni and Cu ferrite are 6.8, 2.7, 5.2, 1.1 and 3.9nm respectively. The effect of ferrite nanoparticles on the thermal decomposition of ammonium per chlorate was studied using thermogravimetic analysis, differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) studies. Activation energy of high temperature decomposition of different alloy nanoparticles was calculated using DSC by Kissinger equation. The catalytic activity of nanoferrites is much sensitive to oxygen and may be effective to improve the thermal decomposition AP-based propellants.