CoMn‐Spinel Oxides as Supported Catalyst for Rocket‐Grade Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition

This work presents the application of a cobalt and manganese mixed oxides‐based catalyst with spinel structure to the decomposition of the storable green monopropellant H 2 O 2 90 wt%. The 5.4 % Co 0.5 Mn 2.5 O 4 /Al 2 O 3 catalyst was tested in a series of continuous and pulsed 2 N thruster firings, yielding a fast and repetitive performance, spontaneously and completely decomposing H 2 O 2 90 wt% without undergoing deactivation or fragmentation during the tests. A specific impulse of 104 s and a characteristic velocity of 881 m/s were reached, so that the characteristic velocity efficiency amounted to 93.7 %. The adiabatic decomposition temperature of the monopropellant (756 °C) was also reached, thus evidencing the effectiveness of the 5.4 % Co 0.5 Mn 2.5 O 4 /Al 2 O 3 catalyst. Its excellent activity in the decomposition of H 2 O 2 90 wt% was attributed to the presence of the redox pairs Mn 2+ /Mn 3+ and Co 2+ /Co 3+ , therefore making it a feasible material for low and medium thrust propulsive systems.