Preparation and characterization of graphene aerogel/Fe₂O₃/ammonium perchlorate nanostructured energetic composite

Abstract: A novel graphene aerogel (GA)/ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃)/ammonium perchlorate (AP) nanostructured energetic composite was prepared by a facile sol–gel method and supercritical carbon dioxide drying technique. In this study, the morphology and structure of the obtained GA/Fe₂O₃/AP nanostructured energetic composite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen sorption tests and X-ray diffraction. The thermal decomposition characteristic was investigated by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. The results demonstrated that Fe₂O₃ and AP dispersed in the as-prepared energetic composite at nanometer, showing promising catalytic effects for the thermal decomposition of AP. For the nanostructured energetic composite, GA and Fe₂O₃ played a catalytic role in the thermal decomposition of AP. Only one decomposition step was observed, instead of two, which was common in previous report. The decomposition temperature of the nanocomposite was obviously decreased as well. Moreover, the total heat release increased significantly. The experimental results showed that the as-prepared GA/Fe₂O₃/AP nanostructured energetic composite could be a promising candidate material for the solid propellants.Graphical Abstract: A novel GA/Fe₂O₃/AP nanostructured energetic composite was prepared by a facile sol–gel method and supercritical carbon dioxide drying technique. Fe₂O₃ and AP nanoparticles are added and trapped in the porous three-dimensional networks of GA. The decomposition temperature of the nanocomposite was obviously decreased, and the total heat release increased significantly. Moreover, the thermal decomposition mechanism of the nanocomposite was analyzed.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]