Recent research progress in the synthesis and properties of burning rate catalysts based on ferrocene-containing polymers and derivatives

•Research progress of Fc based BR catalysts are reviewed.•Approaches to improve the Fc based BR catalysts have focused.•The catalytic properties of Fc based BR catalysts are presented.•The anti-migration mechanism of Fc based BR catalysts are discussed.

An excellent solid propellant should have an extremely stable burning rate and a low pressure exponent. To achieve this aim one of the best ways is to add a burning rate catalyst into the propellant. Efficient ferrocene (Fc)-based burning rate (BR) catalysts with superior performance have attracted intense attention. This review addresses the recent research progress in BR catalysts of Fc-based polymers and derivatives. The migration has been considered as the main barrier for the development and the practical applications of Fc-based polymers and derivatives BR catalysts. In this review several pioneering methods are presented for the synthesis of Fc-based polymers with high efficient burning rate properties and/or low migration properties. In addition, a compendium of the recent progress in synthesis of Fc derivatives with BR catalytic properties is contained. The catalytic mechanism and migration mechanism of Fc-based polymers and derivatives BR catalysts are highlighted.

Graphical abstractAn excellent solid propellant can be achieved by adding burning catalyst into the propellant. In this review, the recent progress in synthesis of ferrocene based polymer and derivatives, several pioneering methods, catalytic and migration mechanism along with migration as a barrier in this field is discussed.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide