Metal-doped (Fe, Nd, Ce, Zr, U) graphitic carbon nitride catalysts enhance thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate-based molecular perovskite

In this paper, we studied the effect of M-doped graphitic carbon nitride (M-g-C 3 N 4 , M = Fe, Nd, Ce, Zr, U) as a catalyst for the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate-based molecular perovskite DAP-4. DAP-4 was synthesized by a molecular assembly strategy. G-C 3 N 4 and M-g-C 3 N 4 composite samples were prepared by pyrolytic and co-sintering methods. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersion X-ray spectrometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the morphology, structure, element distribution, and element chemical states of the catalysts. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to elevate the thermal catalytic decomposition effect of g-C 3 N 4 and M-g-C 3 N 4 on DAP-4. The results showed that g-C 3 N 4 and M-g-C 3 N 4 have catalytic activity for the thermal decomposition of DAP-4. Among the tested catalysts, Fe-g-C 3 N 4 had the best catalytic activity for the thermal decomposition of DAP-4, as well as advantages over pure g-C 3 N 4 and other M-g-C 3 N 4 catalysts. Especially, Fe-g-C 3 N 4 reduced the peak temperature of DAP-4 by 75.3 °C, increased heat release by 464 J g −1 , and decreased activation energy by 55.5 kJ mol −1 . Moreover, a possible catalytic mechanism is proposed. This work may offer a new way to promote the application of DAP-4 in the field of solid rocket propellants.