Green synthesis of ZnCo₂O₄ nanoparticles by Aloe albiflora extract and its application as catalyst on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

ZnCo₂O₄ nanoparticles were prepared by green method using Aloe albiflora extract solution and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, and the result showed that the average particle size was <30 nm. The effect of the ZnCo₂O₄ nanoparticles on thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was enhancing the evolved heat from 400 to 1505 J g⁻¹ and a decrease of decomposition temperature from 420 to 310 °C. The kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition of both pure AP and catalyzed sample have been calculated by Kissinger method, and the results showed that the values of pre-exponential factor and activation energy of thermal decomposition of catalyzed sample increased with respect to that of pure AP. However, the calculated rate constant was higher in presence of ZnCo₂O₄ nanoparticles.