Sonochemical synthesis of ZnO, NiO and α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles and their catalytic activity for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Abstract

ZnO, NiO and α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles are synthesized by a simple and facile sonochemical calcination of zinc acetate, nickel acetate, and iron chloride as precursors. The as-prepared products are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The catalytic efficiency of these as-prepared oxides for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate has been investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The results show that addition of 2% as-prepared samples leads to merging of the two exothermic peaks of ammonium perchlorate into one peak. In the presence of ZnO and NiO nanoparticles, the high temperature decomposition peak of ammonium perchlorate decreases by about 120 °C and 105 °C, respectively. In the presence of α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, the high temperature decomposition peak of ammonium perchlorate decreases by 67 °C, while the peak of the low temperature decomposition disappears.