In situ synthesis of oxidized MXene-based metal cobalt spinel nanocomposites for an excellent promotion in thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

A novel oxidized MXene-supported MCo2O4 (oxidized MXene/MCo2O4, M = Mn, Zn, Cu and Co) nanocomposite was successfully synthesized through a facile hydrothermal assisted calcination method. Various characterization results indicated that MCo2O4 nanoparticles were successfully formed in situ on MXene nanosheets, which effectively reduce the aggregation of nanoparticles and remarkably improve the specific surface area, especially MZC (203.5 m2 g−1). Among the oxidized MXene/MCo2O4 nanocomposites, oxidized MXene/ZnCo2O4 (MZC) enormously ameliorated the performance of AP decomposition. With adding MZC (2.0 wt%), the high-temperature decomposition (HTD) temperature of AP could significantly decrease to 297.1 °C, while the decomposition heat could increase to 1409.6 J g−1, respectively. The apparent activation energy of AP decomposition decreased from 209.6 kJ mol−1 (pure AP) to 104.5 kJ mol−1 (AP mixed with MZC). The excellent catalytic performance of MZC might be due to the synergistic effect of MXene nanosheets and ZnCo2O4 nanoparticles. It could be foreseen that MZC would be an excellent material for optimizing AP decomposition and would supply an idea for the development of new catalyst materials.