Combustion synthesis of Cu/CuO-doped porous carbon nitride nanocomposites: rapid preparation of high-performance catalysts for the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

There is a growing interest in the development of metal-doped carbon nitrides due to their extensive applications in photocatalysis, organocatalysis, electrocatalysis, nanozymes, and biosensing technologies. Here a series of transition metal-doped carbon nitride nanocomposite has been developed utilizing a rapid combustion synthesis method. Comprehensive characterization of the samples was conducted utilizing techniques such as X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersion X-ray spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area measurement analysis. The catalytic effects of the composites were evaluated through TG and DSC analyses. Among the composite materials studied, PCN-0.50Cu with the unique bivalent state structure of copper (Cu(0) and CuO(II)) demonstrated the highest catalytic activity, resulting in a reduction of the peak decomposition temperature of ammonium perchlorate (AP) by 101.5°C, a decrease in the duration of thermal decomposition by 54.7%, and a reduction in activation energy by 141.5 kJ·mol -1 . Moreover, the incorporation of PCN-1.00Cu at a concentration of 2 wt.% resulted in a 45.47% enhancement in the combustion rate of HTPB-based solid propellant. The combustion synthesis of transition metal-doped carbon nitride nanocomposites constitutes an effective approach for the development of solid propellants catalysts and advances the potential applications of nanocomposites in high-energy solid propellant technologies. Schematic diagram showing the preparation process for PCN-0.50Cu and accelerated electron transfer. • Rapid combustion synthesis of transition metal-doped carbon nitride nanocomposites; • The distinctive divalent configuration of Cu/CuO with improved electron transfer capabilities and thermal conductivity is advantageous for applications in AP catalysis; • Persuasive data stems from a comprehensive evaluation of catalytic performance, including thermal decomposition temperature, duration, and activation energy; • Significantly improve the combustion performance, energy performance, and mechanical sensitivity of HTPB-based solid propellants.