The catalytic effects of nano-Fe₂O₃ and rGO-Fe₂O₃ on the thermal decomposition properties of CL-20/HMX cocrystals

The DSC-TG-MS-FTIR coupling technique and in situ FTIR technique were used to study the catalytic effects of nano-Fe₂O₃ and rGO-Fe₂O₃ on the thermal decomposition behaviors of CL-20/HMX cocrystals. The results showed nano-Fe₂O₃ having a good catalytic effect on the thermal decomposition of the CL-20/HMX cocrystal. Nano-Fe₂O₃ was found to enhance CO₂ production and prevent the production of NH₂⁺, HCN, and CHO or N₂H⁺ during the decomposition of cocrystalline CL-20/HMX. Meanwhile, both the CL-20/HMX thermal decomposition peak temperature and E_a were reduced by including nano-Fe₂O₃. The inclusion of rGO-Fe₂O₃ did not enhance the catalytic effect of nano-Fe₂O₃, but did reduce residue formation during the CL-20/HMX decomposition process. Breaking of N-N bonds and the release of NO₂ were concluded to constitute the initial steps of the decomposition of the CL-20/HMX cocrystal. This investigation has contributed to our understanding of the thermal decomposition of the CL-20/HMX cocrystal and provides guidance for the catalytic decomposition of energetic material cocrystals.