Mechanism of Interaction between Ammonium Perchlorate and Aluminum

Abstract

There is an interactive effect between ammonium perchlorate (AP) and aluminum (Al) powder during the combustion process of composite solid propellants, but the mechanism of this effect is still lacking. Using quantum chemical methods, we investigated this mechanism from a molecular perspective. The interaction process between Al and AP was analyzed by comparing the chemical bond changes between the atoms during the reaction process of the Al/AP system and the AP unimolecular thermal decomposition system. The results show that Al atoms alter the reaction mechanism of AP thermal decomposition, significantly decreasing the activation energy of AP decomposition at high temperature but increasing that at low temperature. Meanwhile, the temperature-dependent rate constant of each basic reaction was calculated by transition state theory. The rate constants increase with temperature. Under high temperature and pressure, Al can increase the high-temperature decomposition rate of AP by up to 1–3 orders of magnitude.

Long-Term Survivability of Tardigrade Paramacrobiotus experimentalis (Eutardigrada) at Increased Magnesium Perchlorate Levels: Implications for Astrobiological Research

“…Second, the present experiments employed perchlorate solutions without Martian regolith (samples of which, at this moment, have not been brought to Earth), while the water does not exist in the liquid phase on the Martian surface. A study employing a Martian regolith simulant indicates that if liquid water emerged on this planet, it would be rapidly enriched in various ions that could have individual and additive effects on exposed living organisms [ 60 , 70 ]. One could also point out that in the present study, the perchlorate salt was completely dissolved in the aqueous solution, while on Mars, they would be released from the regolith.…”

Enhancing the Ignition and Combustion Performances of Solid Propellants Incorporating Al Particles Inside Oxidizers

“…As for now, some attempts have been made to interpret the high reactivity of Al/oxidizer composites. According to recent research by quantum chemical methods, the reaction mechanism of AP can be altered by Al atoms, in which the decomposition of AP can be accelerated by Al and its high-temperature decomposition rate was risen by 1–3 orders of magnitude. Similarly, in the presence of Al, a spontaneous nitro dissociation of RDX was observed and the release energy from the RDX thermal decomposition was significantly increased .…”