Ferrocenyl Ionic Compounds Containing [Fe(CN)6]3– Anions: Synthesis,Characterization, and Catalytic Effects during Combustion

Twenty‐eight novel ferrocenyl ionic compounds, composed of mononuclear 1‐ferrocenylmethylalkyldimethylammoniums, 1‐ferrocenylmethyl‐3‐alkylimidazoliums, or their dinuclear analogs and [Fe(CN)₆]^3– anion, were designed and synthesized to tackle significant volatility and migration tendency of ferrocene‐based burning rate catalysts (BRCs) used currently in the composite solid propellants. The new compounds were characterized by UV/Vis, FT‐IR, and elementary analysis. The crystal structures of compounds 2· 5H₂O and 3· CH₂Cl₂ · 4H₂O verified the successful preparation of the desired ionic compounds. The TG tests at 70 °C for 24 h revealed that the new compounds exhibit lower volatility than catocene. The cyclic‐voltammetry results suggested that new compounds are quasi‐reversible or irreversible redox systems. TheTG/DSC analyses exhibited that the compounds are of highly thermal stability. Their catalytic effects on the thermal degradation of ammonium perchlorate (AP), 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazacyclohexane (RDX), and 1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazacyclooctane (HMX) were investigated. The results showed that most of the compounds exert great effects on the thermal degradation of AP and RDX during combustion. 11 and 2 are comparable to catocene in the thermal decomposition of AP and RDX, respectively, and can therefore be used as alternatives of catocene in a composite solid propellant. Some new compounds are unexpectedly active in promoting the thermal disintegration of HMX.     

Improvement of thermal decomposition properties of ammonium perchlorate particles using some polymer coating agents

This research aimed to investigate the optimum conditions for modification of thermal decomposition properties of ammonium perchlorate (AP) particles through microencapsulation techniques. A solvent/non-solvent method has been used to perform microencapsulation of AP particles with some polymer-coating agents such as viton A and nitrocellulose (NC). Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and scanning electron microscopy have been exploited to investigate the thermal properties, heat of decomposition, and coating morphology of pure and coated samples. The preliminary results revealed that AP microparticle could be effectively coated with both NC and viton, but the latter significantly and unfavorably attenuated heat of decomposition of AP so NC was chosen as an appropriate coating agent for modification of thermal properties of AP. The thermal analysis of NC-coated samples, prepared at optimized coating conditions, showed that its first stage decomposition temperature increases about 12 °C with respect to uncoated sample and reaches to 305 °C. Also, the apparent activation energy (E), ΔG ^≠, ΔH ^≠, and ΔS ^≠ of the decomposition processes of the pure and coated AP particles at the optimum conditions were obtained by non-isothermal methods that proposed by ASTM and Ozawa. Finally, the results of this investigation showed that microencapsulation of AP particles with fibrous NC enhance its heat of decomposition (~120 J g^?1) with no obvious effect on kinetic parameters and thermal decomposition temperature.     

Multichanneled hierarchical porous nanocomposite CuO/carbonized butterfly wing and its excellent catalytic performance for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

To meet the requirement of generating more apparent specific heat release at lower temperatures for ammonium perchlorate (AP)-based composite solid propellants, the development of high-performance catalysts for improving the thermal decomposition properties of AP still remains essential and challenging. Herein, a novel catalyst, multichanneled hierarchical porous nanocomposite of CuO and carbonized butterfly wing (CuO/CBW), has been prepared through an in-situ reaction on original butterfly wing scales. Owing to the high active surface area and the good electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as the synergistic effect of CuO nanoparticles (20–25 nm) and CBW, CuO/CBW nanocomposite exhibits excellent catalytic activity for AP thermal decomposition in reducing the high-temperature decomposition temperature by 88.3°C, lowering the apparent activation energy from 190.0 to 103.1 kJ mol⁻¹ and increasing the heat release from 255 to 1841 J g⁻¹.     

Effect of iron-containing catalysts on thermal decomposition of cured GAP-AP propellants

The effects of various burning rate catalysts on thermal decomposition of cured glycidyl azide polymer (GAP)-ammonium perchlorate (AP) propellants have been studied by means of thermal analysis and a modified vacuum stability test (MVST). Four types of iron-containing catalysts examined in this paper are catocene, ferrocenecarboxaldehyde (FCA), ferrocene, and ferric oxide. Results of differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) revealed that the catalysts play an important role in the decomposition of both AP and GAP. The peak decomposition temperature (T _m) of DTA curves and onset decomposition temperature (T _o) of TG patterns considerably shifted to a lower temperature as the concentration of catalysts increased in the propellants. The endothermic temperature of AP, however, is unaffected by the presence of burning rate catalysts in all cases. The activation energy of decomposition of the propellants in range of 80 to 120°C is determined, based on the MVST results.     

A facile synthesis of boron nanostructures and investigation of their catalytic activity for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate particles

In this research, ultrasound irradiation as a simple method was used to produce boron nanostructures. Reaction conditions such as boron concentration and sonication time show important roles in the size, morphology and growth process of the final products. The boron nanostructures (nanoparticles and nanorods) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, small-angle X-ray scattering and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy techniques. Primary evaluation of results showed that nanoparticles and nanorods of boron successfully have been prepared with 25–40 and 50–100 nm average particle size, respectively. These nanostructures (nanoparticles and nanorods) were studied as an additive for promoting the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) particles. Thermochemical decomposition behaviors of treated samples were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. Also, the kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition processes of pure and treated samples were obtained by nonisothermal methods proposed by Kissinger and Ozawa. However, boron nanoparticles with the smallest average particle size (25–40 nm) have the most significant catalytic effect including the decrease in decomposition temperature of AP + B nanocomposite by 100 °C, increase in the heat of decomposition from 580 to 1354 J g^?1 and decrease in activation energy from 207 to 110 kJ mol^?1.     

Mg2NiH4对高氯酸铵热分解过程的影响

采用置换-扩散法制备了储氢材料Mg2NiH4, 用XRD, ICP和DSC-TG方法对其结构进行了表征. 用热分析法(DSC)研究了Mg2NiH4对高氯酸铵(AP)热分解过程的影响. 研究结果表明, Mg2NiH4对AP热分解过程有较大影响. Mg2NiH4可以显著促进AP的低温热分解过程, 降低高温热分解温度, 使DSC表观分解热明显增大. 随着加入量的增加, Mg2NiH4对AP热分解的催化促进作用增强, 当Mg2NiH4加入的质量分数为30％时, DSC表观分解热最大. 吸氢量越大, 储氢材料对AP的催化促进作用越强. Mg2NiH4催化促进AP分解过程的作用机理为: Mg2NiH4分解释放的H2及Mg和Ni与AP分解产物发生反应.     

Synthesis of ferrocene‐modified poly(glycidyl methacrylate) and its burning rate catalytic property

A series of ferrocene‐modified poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA‐Fc) compounds were synthesized and applied as burning rate catalysts in simulative solid propellant to overcome migration problems. ¹H NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies and gel permeation chromatography were used to characterize the synthesized polymers. Their electrochemical behavior was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry. Their catalytic performance for the decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. Anti‐migration studies were conducted in migration tubes under 50°C. The results show that PGMA‐Fc has a good catalytic effect on lowering the thermal decomposition temperature of AP. Anti‐migration studies show that PGMA‐Fc has better anti‐migration performance than ferrocene and catocene.     

Impact of α-C<Subscript>2</Subscript>SH calcination temperature on the mineral composition and heat flow of the products

Nitrate ester plasticized polyether (NEPE) propellant has attracted considerable attention as a kind of high-energy propellant. To investigate the evolution of thermal properties of NEPE propellant during storage life, TG-DSC-MS-FTIR was used to determine the thermal behaviors of the propellant samples before and after 5-year natural storage. It was found out that both samples experience five reaction steps and they are attributed by the evaporation and O–NO₂ bond breaking of nitrate, crystal transition of HMX and thermal decomposition of plasticizer, HMX and ammonium perchlorate. Decomposition process and temperature ranges of each step maintain consistency, but nitrate ester tends to decompose more than evaporate after storage. In the meantime, the area of DSC peak formed in the third step noticeably increased, which accounts for the lower thermal explosion temperature. To further study the decomposition of plasticizer and HMX, their kinetic triplets were solved. It was found out that the activation energy increases significantly on plasticizer decomposition step because of the enlargement of the nitrate’s particle size. Therefore, it can be drawn that the decline of NEPE propellant’s safety property after storage was contributed by the decomposition step of nitrate ester plasticizer.     

Dinuclear (Ferrocenylmethyl)imidazolium Ionic Compounds with Polycyano Anions. Characterization,Migration, and Effects during Combustion

Alkyl‐substituted ferrocene‐based burning rate catalysts exhibit high migration and volatility during curing process and prolonged storage of the composite solid propellants. To deal with the drawbacks twenty‐one dinuclear (ferrocenylmethyl)imidazolium compounds paired with polycyano anions, were synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV/Vis, elementary analysis, and both 2 and 11 were further characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The migration test revealed that the compounds have excellent anti‐migration ability. The cyclic‐voltammetry results suggested that they are quasi‐reversible or irreversible redox systems. The TG/DSC analyses showed that the compounds are highly thermal stable. Their effects on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) and 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazacyclohexane (RDX) were additionally examined. The results showed that the new compounds have strong effects on the thermal decomposition of both AP and RDX during combustion. Both 13 and 21 are more excellent than catocene for increasing the released heats of AP and can be used as alternatives of catocene in the composite solid propellants.     

CuO nanoparticles supported on three‐dimensional nitrogen‐doped graphene as a promising catalyst for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

In the present work, CuO nanoparticles grown on three‐dimensional nitrogen‐doped graphene‐based frameworks (CuO@3D‐(N)GFs) were synthesized using a two‐step method. After the synthesis of three‐dimensional nitrogen‐doped graphene, CuO nanoparticles were deposited on it, by adding cupric acetate followed by thermal treatment. Different analysis methods were used to characterize the products. The as‐prepared nanocomposite was used as a promising catalyst for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) as one of the most common oxidizer in composite propellants. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) techniques were used to investigate the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate. According to the DSC/TGA, high temperature decomposition of AP decreased to 111 °C in the presence of 4% CuO@3D‐(N)GFs and the total heat release (ΔH) from decomposition of AP increased to 1893 J g^?1 which is much more than 590 J g^?1 for pure AP.     

镁铜合金储氢材料的制备及对高氯酸铵热分解过程的影响

采用置换-扩散法制备了镁铜合金储氢材料(Mg2Cu-H), 并对其结构进行了表征. 结果表明, Mg2Cu经过氢化得到的镁铜合金储氢材料不是单一晶相, 而是MgCu2和MgH2的混合物. 用热分析法(DSC)研究了镁铜合金储氢材料对固体火箭推进剂常用氧化剂——高氯酸铵(AP)热分解过程的影响. 结果表明, 镁铜合金储氢材料可以显著促进AP的热分解过程, 加快热分解速率, 降低高温热分解温度, 使DSC表观分解热明显增大. Mg2Cu-H对AP热分解过程的促进作用明显强于Mg2Cu. 随着加入量增加, 镁铜合金储氢材料对AP热分解的催化促进作用增强. 探讨了镁铜合金储氢材料促进AP热分解过程的作用机制.     

Thermal decomposition properties of double-base propellant and ammonium perchlorate

The thermal decomposition properties and the heat of combustion (ΔH) of samples with different ammonium perchlorate (AP)/double base propellant (DB) mass ratios under argon atmosphere were studied by the thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry–mass spectrometry–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG–DSC–MS–FTIR) and automatic calorimeter method. The results show that decomposition process of AP/DB samples in negative and zero oxygen balance (OB) is different from that in positive OB. With the increasing of AP in the AP/DB samples, the decomposition of the samples becomes more and more severe. When the OB of the samples is positive, the phenomenon of deflagration or explosion could be observed in the decomposition process. The sample with OB = 0 has the greatest heat of combustion.     

The effect of specific surface area of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

The thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) is considered to be the first step in the combustion of AP-based composite propellants. In this report, the effect of the specific surface area of titanium oxide (TiO₂) catalysts on the thermal decomposition characteristics of AP was examined with a series of thermal analysis experiments. It was clear that the thermal decomposition temperature of AP decreased when the specific surface area of TiO₂ increased. It was also possible that TiO₂ influences the frequency factor of AP decomposition because there was no observable effect on the activation energy.     

Preparation and characterization of an active catalyst

As an active catalyst to promote thermolysis of ammonium perchlorate (AP), potassium lead hexanitrocobaltate(II) complex (K₂Pb[Co(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 K₂Pb[Co(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.     

Synthesis and catalytic performance of ferrocene‐based compounds as burning rate catalysts

To overcome migration problems of ferrocene‐based burning rate catalysts and to enhance burning rate of ammonium perchlorate (AP)‐based propellants, eleven ferrocene‐based compounds ( 1 – 11 ) were synthesized by the condensation reaction of ferrocenecarbonyl chloride with corresponding amines and alcohols. The synthesis of 1 – 11 was confirmed using ¹H NMR, Fourier transform infrared and UV–visible spectroscopy. Their electrochemical properties were analyzed using cyclic voltammetry. The compounds showed redox behavior due to the presence of ferrocene. Their catalytic behavior in the thermal decomposition of AP was investigated using thermogravimetry (TG) and differential TG (DTG). In the presence of 5 wt% 1 – 11 , the thermal decomposition temperature of AP was significantly decreased. TG and DTG analyses showed that 1 – 11 had a good catalytic effect in the thermal decomposition of AP. Anti‐migration studies showed that migration of 1 – 11 was slower than that of 2,2‐bis(ethylferrocenyl)propane (catocene) and ferrocene. The effect of the presence of polar elements like oxygen and nitrogen on anti‐migration behavior of small ferrocene‐based compounds was also investigated. Oxygen‐containing compounds showed better anti‐migration behavior than nitrogen‐containing compounds.     

Thermodynamic properties and heat capacities of Co (BTC)1/3 (DMF) (HCOO)

A novel metal organic framework [Co (BTC)_1/3 (DMF) (HCOO)] _n (CoMOF, BTC = 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylate, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) has been synthesized solvothermally and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, X-ray powder diffraction, and FT-IR spectra. The molar heat capacity of the compound was measured by modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) over the temperature range from 198 to 418 K for the first time. The thermodynamic parameters such as entropy and enthalpy versus 298.15 K based on the above molar heat capacity were calculated. Moreover, a four-step sequential thermal decomposition mechanism for the CoMOF was investigated through the thermogravimetry and mass spectrometer analysis (TG-DTG-MS) from 300 to 800 K. The apparent activation energy of the first decomposition step of the compound was calculated by the Kissinger method using experimental data of TG analysis.     

Effect of pyrolysis conditions on the properties of carbonaceous nanofibers obtained from freeze-dried cellulose nanofibers

Carbonaceous nanofibers (CsNFs) were produced by pyrolysis of cellulose nanofibers synthesised from wood pulp using a top-down approach. The effects of heat treatment conditions on the thermal, morphological, crystal and chemical properties of the CsNFs were investigated using TGA, SEM, XRD and FT-IR, respectively. The results showed that heat treatment conditions around the thermal decomposition temperature of cellulose greatly influence the morphology of resulting materials. Slow heating rates (1 °C/min) between 240 and 400 °C as well as prolonged isothermal heat treatment (17 h) at 240 °C were necessary to avoid destruction of the original fibrous morphology in carbonized nanofibers. On the other hand, such heat treatment had little effect on micron sized fibers. The optimized heat treatment conditions led to the release of oxygen and hydrogen from cellulose before thermal breakdown of glycosidic rings, which in turn prevented depolymerization and tar formation, resulting in the preservation of the fibrous morphology.     

MnCo<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles with excellent catalytic activity in thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

MnCo₂O₄ spinel nanoparticles (NPs) have been prepared using Aloe vera gel solution. The characterization of prepared spinel was performed applying Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron spectroscope, scanning electron microscope and dynamic light scattering. The results manifested that the prepared nanoparticles were mainly spherical plus minor agglomeration with average size distribution between 35 and 60 nm. The catalytic activity of the prepared nanoparticles upon thermal degradation of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was evaluated applying differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry instruments. MnCo₂O₄ nanoparticles increased the released heat of AP from 450 to 1480 J g^?1 and decreased the decomposition temperature from 420 to 293 °C. The kinetic parameters obtained from Kissinger methods showed that the activation energy of AP thermal decomposition in the presence of MnCo₂O₄ NPs considerably decreased. Also, a mechanism has been proposed in the presence of catalyst for the process of thermal decomposition of AP.     

Evaluation of the catocene/graphene oxide nanocomposite catalytic activity on ammonium perchlorate thermal decomposition

A novel nanocomposite catalyst for thermal degradation of the ammonium perchlorate (AP) has been synthesized, and its effect on the thermal behavior of AP has been investigated. Preparation of the catalyst was carried out via functionalization of the graphene oxide with phenyl isocyanate and its noncovalent bonding to catocene. The catalytic activity of the catalyst was studied by thermal gravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry at various heating rates. In addition, the effect of the catalyst on the AP thermal decomposition has been investigated by Kissinger and Friedman methods as two model-free methods for calculation of the activation energy parameter. According to the Kissinger method calculations, the E_a of AP decomposition reduced about 151 kJ⋅mol⁻¹ lower than the reported value for pure AP in the presence of the catalyst. Calculation of the E_a value for various reaction conversion rates by the Friedman method also confirmed the Kissinger method results.     

Highly stable copper/carbon dot nanofluid

Copper/carbon dot nanohybrids (Cu/CD NHs) were prepared via a facile precipitation method through a disproportionation reaction. The surface characterization was performed by various techniques such as XRD, FTIR and TEM. Then, water-based nanofluids composed of Cu/CD NHs at 0.1 and 0.5 mass% were prepared, and their thermo-physical properties including thermal conductivity, viscosity, density and specific heat were evaluated at various temperatures. The water-based Cu/CD nanofluid demonstrated to be a potential heat transfer fluid with a high stability. It was found that the thermal conductivity can be enhanced by increasing the nanoparticle concentration and temperature. Almost 1.25-fold increase in thermal conductivity has been achieved by raising the temperature up to 50 °C and at the concentration of 0.5 mass%. The heat capacity was found to increase with increasing concentration. Moreover, by increasing temperature the density and viscosity of the as-prepared nanofluid decreased, whereas the heat capacity showed an increasing trend.