Three-dimensional nickel foam templated MgCo2O4 nanowires as an efficient catalyst for the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Spinel–type oxides MgCo2O4 and Co3O4 nanowires (NWs) were successfully prepared using nickel foam (NF) as a template. The catalytic performance of MgCo2O4 NWs on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and simultaneous thermogravimetry–mass spectrometry (TG/MS) techniques. In the presence of MgCo2O4 NWs, the process of the high temperature decomposition (HTD) and the low temperature decomposition (LTD) of AP was combined to one with a peak temperature of 277.35 ​°C. Meanwhile, the apparent activation energy decreased from 139.05 to 123.61 ​kJ·mol−1 on the basis of thermal analysis kinetics. This was attributed to the synergistic effect between the metals of this ternary metal oxide and the larger specific surface area of MgCo2O4 NWs. Therefore, MgCo2O4 with nanowires morphology holds a promise to catalyze energetic components.