Facile preparation of a nano-Co 3 O 4 /C composite catalyst for the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Herein, nano-Co 3 O 4 /C composite catalyst was successfully synthesized by calcination of cobalt alginate (CA) film, which was prepared by ion exchange method. The morphology and structure of the films and calcined samples were characterized. It was found that the thickness of the film produced by Co 2+ substituted Na + was 20 μm, and the surface and side of the film were smooth and uniform. After the calcination of CA film at 400 °C, Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles grown in situ were loaded onto the carbonized alginate skeleton. The results of the thermal analysis showed that the higher the content of catalyst, the more obvious the catalytic effect on AP. Compared with pure AP, the exothermic peak temperature with 3 wt% nano-Co 3 O 4 /C composite catalysts decreased by 103.1 °C, demonstrating the catalytic effect on the nano-Co 3 O 4 /C. The nanocomposite catalyst could be synthesized quickly and in large quantities in this way, which had certain theoretical and practical value for improving the combustion behavior of AP-based composite solid propellants. Graphical abstract Based on inspiring by biomaterial, we have designed and prepared a nano-Co 3 O 4 /C composite catalyst by a facile ionic crosslinking solidification method, which effectively enhanced the thermal decomposition of the ammonium perchlorate.