Experimental study on preparation of LaMO3 (M = Fe, Co, Ni) nanocrystals and their catalytic activity

The perovskite-type oxides LaMO3 (M = Fe, Co, Ni) were prepared by a glycine combustion method using La (NO3)3·6H2O and Fe (NO3)3·9H2O, Co (NO3)2·6H2O, Ni (NO3)2·6H2O as the raw materials, respectively, and C2H5NO2 as gelating agent. The products were characterized by XRD, TEM, HRTEM, SEM and BET. The catalytic activity of LaMO3 (M = Fe, Co, Ni) nanocrystals on thermal decomposition of NH4CIO4 (AP) were carried out by DTA and TG. The burning rate of the propellant modified by obtained LaCoO3 was measured by strand burner method. The experimental results showed that the obtained products can play a catalytic role in the thermal decomposition of AP and combustion of AP-based propellant. The order of the catalytic performance of obtained products on AP thermal decomposition is LaCoO3 > LaNiO3 ≈ LaFeO3. Adding 2% of LaCoO3 nanocrystals to AP decreases the decomposition temperature by 134 °C and increases the heat of decomposition by 0.8 kJ g−1. Compared with basic propellant, the burning rate of propellant modified by 1% LaCoO3 nanocrystals increases around 8%.