Impact of lattice inclusion of Cu and Fe ions on thermal decomposition characteristics of ammonium perchlorate

Ammonium perchlorate (AP) is the universal oxidiser in use for all the solid rocket propellant motors used for space exploration due to its high available oxygen content and thermal decomposition without any solid residue. The inclusion of reactive species in AP directly affect the viscoelastic and ballistic properties of the propellant. Variations in lattice configuration of AP change its physical and thermal characteristics dramatically. In the present work AP was doped with Copper perchlorate and Iron perchlorate through co crystallisation. The impact of inclusion of these ionic species in the lattice on the thermal decomposition characteristics of AP was examined. The incorporation affected the physical as well as the ballistic characteristics of the resultant AP. The incorporation of foreign ions into AP crystals significantly changed the crystal morphology. The decomposition temperature decreased vis-a-vis with normal AP. The activation energy remarkably decreased for the doped AP crystals.