Catalytic Effects of rGO–MFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> (M = Ni, Co, and Zn) Nanocomposites on the Thermal Decomposition Performance and Mechanism of Energetic FOX-7
Ming Zhang, Fengqi Zhao, Ting An, Yanjing Yang, Hui Li, Qing Pan, Xiaohong Wang, Zhoufeng Jiang
Abstract
Thermal decomposition performance of the insensitive energetic compound 1,1-diamino-2,2-dintroethene (FOX-7) is essential for its application in the field of solid propellants. This study seeks to reveal the catalytic effects of reduced graphene oxide–bimetallic oxide nanocomposites (rGO–MFe2O4, M = Ni, Co, and Zn) on the thermal decomposition, kinetic parameters, and pyrolysis mechanism of energetic FOX-7. The results showed that the catalytic activities of the bimetallic iron oxide (NiFe2O4, CoFe2O4, and ZnFe2O4) increased obviously after anchoring on the surface of graphene. Particularly, the rGO–NiFe2O4 nanocomposite possessed the best catalytic activity for FOX-7 thermal decomposition. The high thermal decomposition peak temperature (THDP) and the apparent activation energy (Ea) of FOX-7 were decreased by 57.4 °C and 54.27 kJ mol–1 after mixing with the rGO–NiFe2O4 nanocomposite. The excellent catalytic activity of rGO–NiFe2O4 can be attributed to the synergistic interaction between rGO and NiFe2O4, which is beneficial for the reduction of activation energy and a high thermal decomposition peak temperature of FOX-7. This study is helpful for the rational design of a solid propellant containing FOX-7 and to understand the thermal decomposition kinetics and mechanism of FOX-7.