CONCLUSIONS
BZC was successfully synthesized using the sol-gel method. BZC/rGO
composite was obtained by ultrasound-assisted technique. The crystalline
size of both BZC and BZC/rGO falls into the nanoscale range. The thermal
decomposition temperature of AP was reduced by 71 oC,
and 121 oC in the presence of BZC/rGO, and BZC
additive, respectively. NTO’s peak temperature was decreased by 37oC, and 46 oC in the presence of
BZC/rGO, and BZC additive, respectively. The results suggest that BZC
was a better additive for reducing the thermal decomposition temperature
of both AP and NTO. The decrement in the thermo-kinetics parameters of
AP and NTO in the presence of BZC also affirms the good catalytic
influence of BZC on the thermal decomposition of AP and NTO. The order
of influence of the catalyst on the thermal decomposition of AP and NTO
was: BZC>BZC/rGO. The lower band-gap energy (4.6 eV) in BZC
could have facilitated electrons transfer during the decomposition
processes easily compared to the higher bandgap energy of BZC/rGO.
Hence, BZC was good catalyst than BZC/rGO composite.