US EPA

3746335 

Journal Article 

Green synthesis of Co3O4 nanoparticles and their applications in thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate and dye-sensitized solar cells 

Sharma, JK; Srivastava, P; Singh, G; Akhtar, MS; Ameen, S 

2015 

1 

Materials Science and Engineering B
ISSN: 0921-5107 

193 

C 

181-188 

English 

10.1016/j.mseb.2014.12.012 

WOS:000349586600027 

In this paper, we report on the green synthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4 NPs) using leaves extract of plant Calotropis gigantea and characterize by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The green synthesized Co3O4 NPs showed excellent catalytic effect on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) and burning rate of composite solid propellants (CSPs). Kinetics of slow and rapid thermal decomposition has been investigated by isoconversional and ignition delay methods, respectively. Moreover, the electrocatalytic performance of green synthesized Co3O4 NPs in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) has also been evaluated. The cyclic voltametry measurement shows good electrocatalytic activity of Co3O4 NPs toward the reduction of I3- to I- ions. 

Green synthesis; Ammonium perchlorate; Composite solid propellant; Burning rate catalyst; DSSC