Dye Decorated Ammonium Perchlorate with Fast Decomposition and High Safety Performance

Abstract Enhancing the thermal decomposition efficiency and safety of ammonium perchlorate (AP) is of far‐reaching significance in composite propellants. Most catalysts act well on the thermal decomposition of AP, however, synergistically achievements of fastened decomposition and improved mechanical safety are still in challenge. Herein, neutral red (NR) is selected from typical dyes through theoretical calculations, acting as an organic decoration of AP crystal with improved performances. Among the four organic dyes, NR demonstrated the highest adsorption energy and evident charge transfer at the interface. Following preparations through a freeze‐drying technique obtained a quasi‐homogeneous energetic composite (NR‐AP‐5%). The large interaction force between NR and AP promoted the rupture of chemical bonds between Cl and O as proved by TG‐MS, showing excellent energy‐release performance with the decreased exothermic peak from 437.0 to 355.5 °C. Correspondingly, the activation energy is reduced from 213.59 to 107.72 kJ mol⁻¹, with largely increased heat release from 447.29 to 1014.86 J g⁻¹. In addition, the inert decoration of NR endowed considerable advances in the safety performances of AP, achieving remarkably improved impact and friction sensitivity of 35 J and 288 N, respectively. This unique assembly structure provides a novel strategy to achieve high‐effective catalysis for functional propellants.