Highly dispersed Ni–Mn bimetallic nanoparticles embedded in 3D nitrogen-doped graphene as an efficient catalyst for the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Abstract

The development of efficient thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) to improve the combustion behavior of propellants is a vital research topic. In this work, NiMn bimetallic nanoparticles were successfully grown on three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene-based frameworks by the chemical co-reduction method. The as-prepared nanocomposite showed a high catalytic activity for the thermal decomposition of AP, which is probably related to the synergistic effect of Ni and Mn. The as-prepared NiMn@3D-NGF nanocomposite was characterized by spectroscopic and microscopic analyses. The catalytic activity of the as-obtained material was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The high-temperature decomposition of AP was decreased by 115.22 °C and the total heat release from the decomposition of AP increased from 510.40 to 1744.92 Jg⁻¹.