LAUSR

Abstract A new family of metal-free and energetic graphene oxide (GO)-based burning rate catalysts (FGO 1–6 ) with excellent catalytic and desensitization performances for ammonium perchlorate (AP) were synthesized by nucleophilic substitution reaction of energetic functional groups with acylated GO. The chemical structures, thermal stabilities, catalytic properties and desensitization performances of the functionalized GO were determined. It was shown that the functional groups on the nanosheets of GO imparted its energetic performance and thermal stability, and the catalytic properties and desensitization performances were also enhanced. The reduced mass loss rate along with enhanced residues formation indicated significant improvement in thermal stabilities for FGO 1–6 compared with GO. Besides, not only did FGO 1–6 lower the decomposition temperature, but also enhanced the overall heat for the thermal decomposition of AP. The FGO 1–6 decreased the exothermic peak of the high-temperature decomposition process of AP by 88.1, 93.4, 98.3, 85.8, 90.7 and 79.8 °C, corresponding to the decomposition heat of AP increased significantly from 655 to 2707, 2915, 3529, 3002, 3642 and 2718 J g −1 , which exhibited better catalytic activity than that of GO. In addition, the mechanical sensitivities of AP/GO and AP/FGO 1–6 mixtures decreased obviously in comparison with pure AP were also obtained. Graphic abstract A new family of metal-free and energetic GO-based burning rate catalysts with excellent catalytic properties and desensitization performances for ammonium perchlorate were developed.