The mechanism of nano-CuO and CuFe2O4 catalyzed thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate

A new method was used to prepare nanocomposites (copper oxide, copper iron oxide). The copper oxide and copper iron oxide were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectra. Copper oxide/graphene oxide nanocatalyst was prepared during which copper oxide nanoparticle was simultaneously anchored on graphene oxide sheets. Copper iron oxide/graphene oxide was also prepared. In this work, the catalytic performance of the synthesized materials on the thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate was investigated by thermogravimetric differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric mass spectrometry. The results of thermogravimetric differential scanning calorimetry experiments indicated that nanocomposites catalyzed thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate significantly, especially copper oxide/graphene oxide. The synergistic effect of copper iron oxide was not found. The activation energy of ammonium nitrate mixture was calculated respectively by Kissinger method. The initial temperature, peak temperature, and activation energy were significantly decreased. A new phenomenon, nitrous oxide formed at a very low temperature, was observed by mass spectra. Two stages of thermal decomposition phenomenon of ammonium nitrate catalyzed by copper oxide/graphene oxide were first observed according to thermogravimetric mass spectrometry results. The thermal decomposition mechanism of ammonium nitrate with copper oxide/graphene oxide was proposed according to thermogravimetric differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric mass spectrometry results.