Preparation and characterization of an active catalyst

As an active catalyst to promote thermolysis of ammonium perchlorate (AP), potassium lead hexanitrocobaltate(II) complex (K₂PbCo(NO₂)₆]) was synthesized by the direct deposition method and inverse microemulsion method. Its submicron, size, cube morphology, and crystal structure were investigated by SEM, TEM, and XRD analysis, respectively. Thermal decomposition of K₂PbCo(NO₂)₆] was studied by the TG/DSC-IR online system and XRD analysis. The catalyst was decomposed at about 300 °C; its gaseous products were NO₂, NO, and N₂O and its solid products were Pb₃O₄, Co₃O₄, PbO, CoO, and KNO₂. Because thermal decomposition of the catalyst was synchronous with low temperature decomposition of AP, thermolysis of AP was promoted remarkably. In particular, the gaseous products (NO _x ) could directly oxidize the absorbed NH₃. As a result, compared to the data of pure AP, the integral heat of AP added 3.0 wt% of the catalyst multiplied by 280 %, the maximum rate of heat release increased by 634 %. The decomposition of catalyzed AP ended at about 317 °C, at which only less than 30 % of pure AP decomposed.