Catalyst Effects of Nanometer CuCr2O4 on the Thermal Decomposition of TEGDN Propellant

The catalyst effects of nanometer CuCr2O4 on the thermal decomposition of triethyleneglycol dinitrate (TEGDN) propellant were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, mass spectrometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The Ozawa equation and step integral equation were used to calculate the activation energy. The results showed that the thermal decomposition reaction of TEGDN propellant can be seen as two reactions. Nanometer CuCr2O4 added in TEGDN propellant reduced the activation energy of the second reaction step; therefore, the second reaction step was sped up. Mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and the combustion residue analysis results also supported this conclusion.