Synthesis, characterization and catalytic behavior of Cu nanoparticles on the thermal decomposition of AP, HMX, NTO and composite solid propellants, Part 83

The synthesis of Cu nanoparticles by reducing CuSO4 with hydrazine in ethylene glycol under microwave irradiation, has been described. These nanoparticles have been characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern and X-ray diffraction (XRD) which shows an average particle diameter of 20.3 nm. The catalytic activity, of Cu nanoparticles on thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP), composite solid propellants (CSPs) using thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) have been measured. Results indicate that nanoscale Cu particle lowers the energy of activation for thermal decomposition of AP and CSPs. Activation energy for ignition has also been found to be lowered in case of AP, CSPs, HMX and NTO. The burning rate of CSPs has been found to be enhanced. Isothermal TG data was used to evaluate kinetic parameters by model fitting as well as isoconversional methods and values of activation energy were found to be lowered with Cu nanoparticles.

Copper nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by FE-SEM and bright field TEM micrographs. The catalytic effect of these nanoparticles was evaluated on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate using TG and TG-DSC techniques. The kinetics of thermal decomposition of AP was evaluated using isothermal TG data by model fitting as well as isoconversional methods.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Copper nanoparticles (∼20.0 nm) prepared under microwave irradiation.
► Characterization using XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM and ED pattern.
► Catalytic activity of Cu nanoparticles on AP thermal decomposition by thermal techniques.
► Explosion delay measurements of copper nanoparticles on HMX and NTO.
► Kinetics of thermal decomposition of AP + Cu nanoparticles.