The Electrochemical and Combustion Properties of HAN‐ECSP Using Cu₂O/Cu Electrode

Abstract Electrically controlled solid propellant based on hydroxyammonium nitrate (HAN‐ECSP) cause extensive research by scientists. Nevertheless, research on the performance of ECSP is currently focused on the formulation of propellants, and few studies have been published on the design of electrodes and the influence of electrochemical properties on the combustion performance of propellant. Metal have been reported as one of potential electrodes in HAN‐ECSP, but it has many drawbacks, such as being prone to corrosion during electrochemical and ignition combustion testing. Hence, modifying metal electrodes is one of the best ways to improve their adaptability in the HAN‐ECSP system. In this work, Cu 2 O/Cu and Cu 2 O/CF electrodes were prepared by oxidation methods and subsequent calcination with tube furnace. It can be seen from the experimental results that the Cu 2 O/Cu and Cu 2 O/CF have positive effect on the overpotential and corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the ignition delay time at 210 V of the propellant decreases from 3.28 s (Cu) to 2.05 s (Cu 2 O/Cu), 3.89 s (CF) to 1.85 (Cu 2 O/CF), respectively. Thus, Cu 2 O/Cu electrode is more suitable in the HAN‐ECSP system, and the electrochemical performance of HAN‐ECSP is an important factor that evaluate its ignition performance. Lower overpotential and higher current retention rate in the system will improve the ignition and combustion performance of the propellant. In general, this work reveals the influence of the electrochemical performance of propellants on their combustion performance, and provides data support and advices for improving the combustion performance of HAN‐ECSP.