Effect of Carbon Nanotubes on the Catalysis of Propellant Combustion

The effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the catalysis of combustion of high energy propellants was studied. Carbon nanotubes increased the burning rate of a propellant in the presence of a catalyst to a much higher extent than carbon black. The structure and composition of quenched propellant samples were studied by scanning electron microscopy and electron probe X-ray microanalysis. In the presence of CNTs, a higher carbon frame was formed virtually over the whole combustion surface and the accumulation of the catalyst particles on it was much more pronounced than in the case of carbon black. The obtained results unambiguously indicate that CNTs are more efficient in the catalyzed propellant combustion.