Synthesis of claw-like CuO and its catalytic activity in the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Claw-like CuO was prepared by solution process at 100 °C simply by using copper nitrate and hexamethylenetetramine for 3 h. The structure and morphology of resulting CuO powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. CuO nanocrystals were studied as an additive for promoting the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate. With the addition of the claw-like CuO nanocrystals, thermal decomposition temperature of ammonium perchlorate decreased. CuO nanocrystals showed catalytic activity on the decomposition of ammonium perchlorate.