Preparation and catalytic activity of Ni/CNTs nanocomposites using microwave irradiation heating method

Ni nanoparticles supported on carbon nanotubes were prepared by microwave-assisted heating hydrazine reduction in ethylene glycol. The Ni/CNTs nanocomposites by microwave-irradiation method (MIM-Ni/CNTs) were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS and BET. The results indicated that MIM-Ni/CNTs had compact coating, high nickel loading and large BET surface area. The catalytic activity of obtained products on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was carried out by DTA. The burning rate of the propellant modified by MIM-Ni/CNTs was measured by strand burner method. Moreover, the experimental results showed that the obtained products could play a catalytic role in the thermal decomposition of AP and combustion of AP-based propellant. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.