Catalytic activity of Cu2O micro-particles with different morphologies in the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Catalytic activity of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) micro-particles with cubic, octahedral, truncated-octahedral and hollow opened sphere structures for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was investigated in this paper. Cu2O with different morphologies were synthesized through one-pot hydrothermal method, which is based on the reduction of Cu(II) with d-(+)-glucose in an alkalic solvent. Morphology, crystal structure and specific surface area of final samples were characterized by using SEM, XRD, and BET, respectively. TG/DTA results show that the samples with different morphologies exhibit quite different catalytic activity in different stage of thermal decomposition of AP. Through comparing them, Cu2O micro-octahedrons with {1 1 1} facets show better catalytic effect than cubes with only {1 0 0} facets, while the Cu2O hollow microspheres enhance the high-temperature exothermic decomposition of AP significantly. The authors also discussed some underlying catalytic mechanism and offered some selection basis of catalysts in the thermal decomposition of AP.

► Cu2O microparticles with some different morphologies as catalysts in the thermal decomposition of AP.
► Cu2O octahedrons with {1 1 1} facets show better catalytic effect than cubes with only {1 0 0} facets.
► Cu2O hollow opened spheres reduced the high-temperature exothermic peak temperature significantly.
► We discussed some underlying catalytic mechanism in the thermal decomposition of AP.