Enhanced Catalytic Effect of Ti2CTx-MXene on Thermal Decomposition Behavior of Ammonium Perchlorate

Transition metal carbonitrides (MXenes) are promising catalysts due to their special structures. Recently, many studies have shown that MXenes have a catalytic effect on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP). However, the catalytic effects have not been extensively investigated. Therefore, it is important to illustrate the catalytic mechanisms of pure MXene in AP thermal decomposition. Herein, the catalytic properties of Ti2CTx for ammonium perchlorate (AP) thermal decomposition were investigated by numerous catalytic experiments. The results showed that the high-temperature decomposition (HTD) decreased by 83 degrees C, and the decomposition heat of AP mixed with Ti2CTx increased by 1897.3 J/g. Moreover, the mass spectrum (MS) data showed that the NH3, H2O, O-2, N2O, NO, HCl, and NO2 were formed. In addition, according to the X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectrum, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) results, the Ti2CTx nanosheets can adsorb the gaseous products and react with them in-situ, generating anatase-TiO2 and carbon layers. The Ti2CTx, as-resulted anatase-TiO2, and carbon can synergize and further catalyze the thermal decomposition of AP when both electron and proton transfers are accelerated during AP decomposition.

Automated summary

Transition metal carbonitrides (MXenes) have special structures and show promising catalytic effects. However, the catalytic mechanisms of MXenes in the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) have not been extensively studied. In this study, the catalytic properties of Ti2CTx for AP thermal decomposition were investigated through various experiments. The results showed that Ti2CTx can decrease the high-temperature decomposition of AP and increase the decomposition heat. Moreover, the Ti2CTx nanosheets can adsorb gaseous products and react with them in-situ, generating anatase-TiO2 and carbon layers that further catalyze the thermal decomposition of AP.