Sol–gel method to prepare graphene/Fe₂O₃ aerogel and its catalytic application for the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Graphene/Fe₂O₃ (Gr/Fe₂O₃) aerogel was synthesized by a simple sol–gel method and supercritical carbon dioxide drying technique. In this study, the morphology and structure were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and nitrogen sorption tests. The catalytic performance of the as-synthesized Gr/Fe₂O₃ aerogel on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was investigated by thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimeter. The experimental results showed that Fe₂O₃ with particle sizes in the nanometer range was anchored on the Gr sheets and Gr/Fe₂O₃ aerogel exhibits promising catalytic effects for the thermal decomposition of AP. The decomposition temperature of AP was obviously decreased and the total heat release increased as well.