Co metal-decorated carbon nanotubes with excellent thermal catalytic performance

Efficient decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) which is the oxidant and combustion adjuvant of the solid propellants is critical for the fast ignition and high-speed liftoff of the rocket. We synthesize Co metal-decorated carbon nanotubes (Co/CNTs) as an advanced catalyst to promote the sufficient thermal decomposition of AP under reduced temperature. The results indicate that Co/CNTs effectively accelerate the decomposition of AP by reducing the thermal decomposition temperature from 430.0 to 309.9 ℃ and achieve a 3-times higher thermal releasing than that of the pure AP. The acid-etching comparison test reveals that decreasing the cobalt content in Co/CNTs does not affect the decomposition temperature of AP but suppress the decomposition heat releasing. It is proposed that the CNTs boost fast electron transfer during the AP decomposition and the cobalt works as an active additive to increase the heat releasing. This work provides an insight into the electron-transfer mechanism for the thermal decomposition of AP and a valuable guidance for developing advanced combustion catalysts used in the solid propellants. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]