Preparation and Catalytic Activity of M2O3CNTs (M = Y, Nd, Sm)‎ Nanocomposites by Solvothermal Process

Abstract EN

The rare-earth oxide nanoparticles along carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (M2O3/CNTs, M = Y, Nd, Sm) were prepared by in situ solvothermal method.

Products were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method.

M2O3/CNTs presented good morphology and large surface area.

Furthermore, catalysis of M2O3/CNTs during the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was evaluated by differential thermal analysis (DTA).

Compared with Nd2O3/CNTs and Sm2O3/CNTs, Y2O3/CNTs nanocomposites showed the best catalytic effect on the thermal decomposition of AP.

With the addition of 2 wt.% Y2O3/CNTs nanocomposite, high decomposition temperature of AP decreased by 125.5°C, and the total DTA heat release increased by 2.027 kJ·g−1.