Infrared spectral analysis during the thermal decomposition of pure and irradiated crystalline NH4ClO4

Variable temperature /303–553 K/ IR spectroscopic studies are made during thermal decomposition of pure and γ-treated ammonium perchlorate /AP/. Decomposition is enhanced by radiation or in the presence of an additive /Gd2O3/. Intensity of the stretching /∼1100 cm−1/ and bending /∼625 cm−1/ frequencies of ClO 4 − decrease on heating the KBr matrix even below 360 K. Above this temperature, a broad band develops over 480–510 cm−1 in the pure and γ-treated AP which is attributed to ClO 3 − /ν4/.