Synthesis and combustion catalytic activity of ferrocene-based energetic compounds

Ammonium perchlorate (AP) is a common oxidizer in composite solid rocket propellants due to its excellent burning characteristics, good processability, and storability. Owing to their outstanding catalytic effects, ferrocene, and its derivatives have become the most widely used burning rate catalysts (BRCs). The addition of ferrocene and its derivatives to AP rendered performance optimization. In this study, azole-based ferrocenyl compounds were successfully synthesized. The compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopy, and other techniques. The thermal degradation of AP catalyzed by these compounds was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Results revealed that the decomposition peak temperature of AP dramatically decreases and that the released heat of AP significantly increases with the new compounds as additives. Hence, the six azole-based ferrocenyl BR catalysts are favorable for the combustion catalytic activity.