Zeolite Imidazolate Frameworks-67 Precursor to Fabricate a Highly Active Cobalt-Embedded N-Doped Porous Graphitized Carbon Catalyst for the Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate

Abstract

The more apparent specific heat release at a lower high-temperature decomposition (HTD) temperature of ammonium perchlorate (AP) poses a challenge for the development of highly active catalysts. In this work, a well-designed cobalt-embedded N-doped porous graphitized carbon (Co@NC) catalyst is obtained by high-temperature calcination of a zeolite imidazolate frameworks-67 precursor, in which the cobalt catalytic active center realizes effective nanoscale dispersion; meanwhile, the cobalt and N-doped porous graphitized carbon can release considerable heat after oxidation, and the cobalt oxides have an excellent catalytic effect on reducing the HTD temperature of AP. The catalytic activity of Co@NC was tested by a differential thermal analytical method. The results indicated that the HTD peak of AP was significantly decreased by 100.5 °C, the apparent activation energy of the HTD reaction of AP was reduced by 82.0 kJ mol-1, and the heat release compared with pure AP increased 2.9 times. On teh basis of these findings, Co@NC is expected to be one of the best candidate materials for AP thermal decomposition.