Synthesis of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles via wet high-energy ball-milling and its catalytic application in thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Abstract

α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles have been successfully produced by the wet high-energy ball-milling method. Phase and nanostructure characterizations of as-crushed powders have been done by X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy techniques. Average particle sizes of 56 and 51 nm are obtained after 20 and 40 hours of wet ball milling process, respectively. The catalytic property of the synthesised α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in the thermal decomposition reaction of ammonium perchlorate has been evaluated by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. Thermal analysis confirms that adding 5 wt.% α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (51 nm) decreases the decomposition temperature of ammonium perchlorate from 422.0 °C to 360.0 °C and increases the ΔH of the decomposition reaction from 880 J g^-1 to 1408.1 J g^-1. Finally, the catalytic effects of α-Fe₂O₃ NPs on kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of thermal decomposition reaction of treated AP particles have been studied by Kissinger, Boswell, Ozawa and Starink methods.