Investigation of the catalytic activity of nano-sized CuO, Co3O4 and CuCo2O4 powders on thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

► CuO, Co3O4 and CuCo2O4 nano-powders were synthesized and their catalytic activities were characterized. ► Thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate was investigated based on nano metal oxide catalytic activity. ► The nano-sized CuCo2O4 powders showed higher catalytic activity than others. ► Possible mechanisms of thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate were suggested.