Green synthesis of Co3O4 nanoparticles and their applications in thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate and dye-sensitized solar cells

•Co3O4 NPs were synthesized from the leaves extract of plant Calotropis gigantea.•Green synthesis of Co3O4 NPs is a cost effective and eco-friendly route.•Faster thermal decomposition of AP occurred in presence of the green synthesized Co3O4 NPs.•A high burning rate of CSP was observed.•Green synthesized Co3O4 NPs displays the good electrocatalytic activity to reduction of I3− to I− ions.

In this paper, we report on the green synthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4 NPs) using leaves extract of plant Calotropis gigantea and characterize by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The green synthesized Co3O4 NPs showed excellent catalytic effect on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) and burning rate of composite solid propellants (CSPs). Kinetics of slow and rapid thermal decomposition has been investigated by isoconversional and ignition delay methods, respectively. Moreover, the electrocatalytic performance of green synthesized Co3O4 NPs in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) has also been evaluated. The cyclic voltametry measurement shows good electrocatalytic activity of Co3O4 NPs toward the reduction of I3− to I− ions.

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