Low Temperature Nanoscale Catalyst for Reduced Toxicity Monopropellant

"The Aviation and Missile Command developed CINCH (Competitive Impulse Non-Carcinogenic Hypergol) fuel as a reduced toxicity alternative to carcinogenic hydrazines in propellant applications. Unfortunately, the iridium catalyst developed for hydrazinesrequires high (300-400 degree F) temperatures to function with CINCH fuel. There is a need for the development of a new catalyst that decomposes CINCH fuel at temperatures as low as --40 degrees F and a gas generator using this catalyst and fuel. Thisresearch and development effort will accomplish both of these objectives.Working under a Phase I SBIR, MACH I has identified several new catalytic materials more reactive than iridium. These include: palladium metal, palladium chloride, palladium nitrate, iron chloride, iron bromide, nanoscale iron oxide, and tin chloride.Strongly acidic supports are favored over neutral or basic supports.In the proposed Phase II program, a commercial source of catalyst and gas generators will be developed from this new fundamental technology. We will identify the best catalyst compositions using classical catalyst optimization techniques looking for anybimetallic synergies. We will synthesize nano scale composites of the two most promising formulations utilizing MACH I's proprietary nano synthesis technologies. Supported catalysts will be developed and optimized working in conjunction with identifiedcatalyst and gas generator partner subcontracto