Facile Synthesis and Decomposition Kinetics of Energetic Molecular Perovskite DAP-4 Catalyzed with Copper Nanoparticles for Advanced Energetic Systems

Abstract Molecular perovskite DAP-4 (NH 4 )(C 6 H 12 N 2 )(ClO 4 ) 3 can expose high oxidizing capability, with superior decomposition enthalpy compared with ammonium perchlorate (AP). DAP-4 was developed via molecular assembly method. The potential impact of copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) on DAP-4 thermal decomposition was evaluated. Reactive Cu NPs of 50 nm were integrated into DAP-4 structure via solvent evaporation. Uniform dispersion of Cu NPs into DAP-4 matrix was assessed using elemental mapping. Whereas AP demonstrated decomposition enthalpy of 733 J/g; virgin DAP-4 and Cu/DAP-4 nanocomposite experienced decomposition enthalpy of 3800, and 4150 J/g respectively. Cu NPs offered decrease in DAP-4 main decomposition temperature by 49 o C. Decomposition kinetics was investigated via Kissinger, and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS). Cu/DAP-4 demonstrated apparent activation energy of 134.97 ± 3.02 kJ/mol compared with 216.32 ± 4.42 kJ/mol for virgin DAP-4. Cu NPs offered decrease in DAP-4 combustion time from 70 ms to 31 ms, with high intense combustion flame. Copper NPs experienced dramatic change in DAP-4 decomposition mechanism from F 1 to F 3 .Copper NPs could act as efficient reactive catalyst particles; that could be oxidized to CuO with the evolution of 3700 J/g. The evolved CuO nanocatalyst could boost decomposition enthalpy.