Thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate by black phosphorus and graphene oxide composite aerogel

Two-dimensional layered black phosphorus (BP) has shown great potential in electronics and optoelectronics thanks to its adjustable direct band gap and high carrier mobility. Nevertheless, the utility of the unique two-dimensional structure and chemical activity of BP remains overlooked in the field of energetic materials. In this work, graphene oxide (GO) aerogel-coated black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNS) were prepared by the sol–gel method. The composite aerogel could very well protect the chemically labile BPNS from oxidation, which remained largely intact after the gel was stored for 30 days in air at room temperature. Moreover, the BPNS/GO gel notably promoted the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP). Whereas the decomposition of pure AP gave an exotherm of only 470.2 J g⁻¹, a ground blend consisting of 9% gel with 20% BPNS and 91% AP gave an exotherm as high as 1834.9 J g⁻¹. The current work examines how BP assists the thermal decomposition of AP and suggests possibilities for the application of BP in the catalytic decomposition of energetic materials. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]