Catalytic decomposition of ammonium perchlorate a survey

This paper reviews the role of additives in the combustion process of ammonium perchlorate. These additives are found to influence the low temperature decomposition of AP, its ignition temperature and burning rate. Transition metal oxides and various other compounds like chromates, halides, carbonates and perchlorates are well known decomposition catalysts. Admixture of these compounds is found to change the pattern and products of decomposition. The mechanism of decomposition is explained on activation energy obtained from thermal data. The activation energy of ammonium perchlorate is attributed to transfer of electron from perchlorate ion to ammonium ion and the role of catalyst is to accelerate this proccess. A complex is formed with metal ion C104 − and NH4 + radical which stabilizes the electron transfer process.