NiZnFe2O4 : a potential catalyst for the thermal decomposition of AP and burn rate modifier for AP/HTPB based propellants

Utilizing metal nitrate salts and sodium hydroxide as a precipitating agent, nanosized nickel-zinc ferrite (NiZnF) particles were successfully synthesized using a co-precipitation route. The effect of a 1% NiZnF additive on the thermal decomposition of AP and the burn rate of AP-based composite solid propellants was investigated. Five isoconversional methods were utilized to determine the activation energy of the AP in the presence of the catalyst using DSC data. An ignition delay study of AP and propellant with and without NiZnF catalyst was carried out using a tube furnace. DSC results suggested that NiZnF exhibits good catalytic activity on the thermal decomposition of AP by decreasing thermal decomposition temperature (90.68 degrees C) and activation of AP to a great extent. [GRAPHICS] .