Morphology-dependent catalytic activity of Fe2O3 and its graphene-based nanocomposites on the thermal decomposition of AP

The spherical, hollow and tubular Fe 2 O 3 (s, h and t) and their graphene-based nanocomposites rGO-Fe 2 O 3 (s, h and t) were fabricated using the facile solvothermal methods. The morphologies and compositions of the as-synthesized Fe 2 O 3 (s, h and t) and rGO-Fe 2 O 3 (s, h and t) nanocomposites were systematically characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR and XPS methods. Then, the effect of the catalytic performance of Fe 2 O 3 (s, h and t) and rGO-Fe 2 O 3 (s, h and t) nanocomposites on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) were studied by DSC method. The DSC results showed that all of the Fe 2 O 3 (s, h and t) and rGO-Fe 2 O 3 (s, h and t) nanocomposites can effectively promote the thermal decomposition of AP. Besides, rGO-Fe 2 O 3 (s) nanocomposite has the best catalytic performance, and the high-temperature decomposition exothermic peak of AP was significantly reduced after its mixing with rGO-Fe 2 O 3 (s) nanocomposite. It can be seen that the effects of Fe 2 O 3 on AP decomposition is mainly reflected in the high temperature process, while the effects of rGO-Fe 2 O 3 (s) on AP decomposition is reflected in both high and low temperature stages, and the effect on the high temperature stage is more significant. The excellent catalytic performance of rGO-Fe 2 O 3 (s) nanocomposite can be attributed to the in-situ growth of Fe 2 O 3 on the surface of rGO, which contributes to the low temperature decomposition process of AP.