Ferric Oxide Colloid: A Novel Nano-catalyst for Solid Propellants

Even though ammonium perchlorate (AP) is universal oxidizer; its initial decomposition is an endothermic process. This feature could render high burning rate regime. Ferric oxide particles are candidate catalyst for AP decomposition. This study reports on sustainable fabrication of colloidal ferric oxide particles. Ferric oxide particles demonstrated stable colloidal suspension with zeta value of 38.5 mV. TEM micrographs revealed mono-dispersed particles of 3 nm average particle size. XRD diffractogram demonstrated highly crystalline structure. Ferric oxide nanoparticles were coated with AP particles via co-precipitation technique. The efficiency of ferric oxide particles as nano-catalyst for AP was evaluated using DSC and TGA. Ferric oxide particles reduced AP initial endothermic decomposition by 40%. The following two exothermic decomposition peaks were combined together into one single peak with an increase in total heat release by 47.5%. These novel catalytic features can extend applications of ferric oxide particles in catalyzed combustion reactions.