Catalysis of transition metal oxides for pyrotechnical reagent

In order to improve the reaction rate of pyrotechnical reagent, transition metal oxides (TMO), Fe₂O₃ and CuO, were added into potassium perchlorate and potassium nitrate respectively by mixing and crystallization methods. Accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC) was used to study the catalytic behavior of TMO. Results illustrated that Fe₂O₃ can catalyze pyrotechnical reagent with potassium perchlorate, and the addition is better with crystallization method. The maximal reaction rate of pyrotechnical reagent with potassium perchlorate added with Fe₂O₃ by crystallization method is 8.10 min^-1, which is 4.09 times of that without catalyst. The time to maximal rate is 8.52 min, which is lower than that without catalyst by 92.8%. It was also found that CuO can catalyze pyrotechnical reagent with potassium nitrate, and the addition is better with mixing method. The maximal reaction rate of pyrotechnical reagent with potassium nitrate added with CuO by mixing method is 7.38 min^-1, which is 1.30 times of that without catalyst. The time to maximal rate is 53.55 min, which is lower than that without catalyst by 66.3%.