Cu/Co/Cr Nanocomposites Obtained from Hydrotalcite Precursors as Catalysts for Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate

A series of Cu/Co/Cr nanocomposites with different Cu/Co/Cr molar ratios were obtained by calcination of Cu/Co/Cr hydrotalcites precursors, which were prepared by a co-precipitation reaction. X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma analysis, and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the structure, composition, and morphology of Cu/Co/Cr nanocomposites. The results show that Cu/Co/Cr nanocomposites have both CuCr2O4 and CoCr2O4 spinel phase. The particle size of Cu/Co/Cr nanocomposites is 15–20 nm and the specific surface area is 95–115 m2/g. Cu/Co/Cr nanocomposites were used as new catalysts for improving thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP). Their catalytic activities were investigated using differential thermal analysis and thermal gravimetric analyzer coupled with an online mass spectrometer. The results show that the decomposition temperature of AP lowered 132–146 °C by adding 4 wt% Cu/Co/Cr nanocomposites. Catalytic activities of the prepared nanocomposites depend on the calcinations temperature and addition amount of corresponding nanocomposites. The possible catalytic mechanism of Cu/Co/Cr nanocomposites was also studied and discussed.