Effect of preparation methods on the structure and catalytic thermal decomposition application of graphene/Fe₂O₃ nanocomposites

The graphene/Fe₂O₃ nanocomposites were prepared by the sol–gel method and then dried naturally in air or supercritical CO₂. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and specific surface area analysis were used to characterize the structure of the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites dried with supercritical CO₂ have larger specific area and porous structure. The catalytic properties of the graphene/Fe₂O₃ nanocomposites for ammonium perchlorate were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. When the nanocomposites were added, not only the thermal decomposition temperature of ammonium perchlorate was decreased, but also the exothermic heat was increased. Comparing the two drying methods, the graphene/Fe₂O₃ nanocomposites dried with supercritical CO₂ showed better catalytic effects.