Effect of transition metal oxides (CuO, Fe2O3, Bi2O3) on the combustion and thermal decomposition of potassium nitrate-based molecular perovskite energetic material

Ammonium perchlorate (AP)-based molecular perovskite energetic materials have attracted widespread interest due to their superior detonation properties. However, environmental concerns regarding perchlorate ions necessitate the exploration of alternative compounds. DAN-2, a novel green energetic material (a potassium nitrate-based molecular perovskite energetic material) with high energy density and good safety performance, is increasingly being studied and applied in the field of energetic materials. To enhance energy release and combustion performanceof DAN-2, three metal oxides—CuO, Fe 2 O 3 , and Bi 2 O 3 —were selected as catalysts. A series of DAN-2/metal oxide composites with varying oxide contents (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) were prepared by mechanical mixing. The microstructure and thermal characteristics of the composites were thoroughly investigated. Results show that the structural integrity of DAN-2 remains unchanged upon the introduction of metal oxides, with no significant alterations observed in the thermal decomposition temperatures of the composites. The incorporation of metal oxides reduced the total combustion duration and increased the burning rate of pristine DAN-2. Specifically, 5% CuO, 10% Fe 2 O 3 , and 20% Bi 2 O 3 reduced the complete combustion time by 2.04 s, 1.35 s, and 1.41 s, respectively. Three metal oxides—CuO, Fe 2 O 3 , and Bi 2 O 3 —were investigated as catalysts for DAN-2 . CuO at 5% loading achieves the highest catalytic efficiency, increasing burning rate by 187% and shortening combustion time to 1.09 s. Fe 2 O 3 at 10% loading offers stable performance. Bi 2 O 3 at 20% loading triggers the most intense flame reaction with superior luminosity. • The catalytic effects of CuO, Fe 2 O 3 , and Bi 2 O 3 on the combustion performance of DAN-2 were comparatively investigated by high-speed photography. • CuO exhibits the highest catalytic efficiency at 5% loading, increasing the burning rate of DAN-2 by 187% and shortening the combustion time to 1.09 s. • Fe 2 O 3 demonstrates the most stable catalytic performance with a well-defined optimal loading of 10%. • Bi 2 O 3 shows the most intense initial reaction at 20% loading, with superior flame height, width, and luminosity achieved at 0.05 s.