Preparation of BiFeO3/rGO Nanocomposites and Its Catalytic Performance for the Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate

In order to improve the catalytic effect of nanocomposite metal oxides on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP), BiFeO3/rGO nanocomposites were prepared using Bi(NO3)3•5H2O, Fe(NO3)3•9H2O and GO as precursors by a facile hydrothermal method. The structure, particle size and morphology of the prepared samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, XPS, TGA, SEM and TEM. The catalytic performances of the BiFeO3/rGO nanocomposites toward the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) were further investigated by DTA.The catalytic mechanism of BiFeO3/rGO on the thermal decomposition of AP and its effect on the thermal decomposition kinetics of AP were analyzed. The results show that the introduction of rGO can effectively prevent the agglomeration of BiFeO3 nanoparticles and greatly increase the specific surface area. When the content of BiFeO3/rGO in AP is 4%, the high thermal decomposition temperature of AP can be achieved the highest decrease, which is up to 167℃. The apparent decomposition heat increases by 1631J/g, which is up to 2518J/g, and the activation energy of reaction decreases from 172.07 to 128.35 kJ/mol, indicating that the BiFeO3/rGO nanocomposites can effectively catalyze thermal decomposition of AP. © 2021, Editorial Board of Journal of Explosives & Propellants. All right reserved.