Analysis of Composite Propellants Formulated from Maize Stalk and Pawpaw Stem

Abstract

Plant biomass (Carbon) was sourced from maize stalk and paw paw stem were used as fuel o composite solid propellant. Composite solid propellant was conducted using three ratios in this order; Ammonium nitrate, Biomass (Carbon), Sulphur, Starch and Gum Arabic as binders in ratios of 80:16:2:2 (Cohen}, 65:20:12:3 (Tenny) and 85:10:4:1 (proposed ratio) by mechanical means of using mortar and pestle. The formulated composite propellants were characterized using Differential Scanning colorimeter (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The FTIR and SEM results indicated some similarities of interaction with the individual components (the ammonium nitrate, biomass (Carbon), Sulphur, Starch and Gum Arabic (binders) displayed by the different peaks and functional groups indicating formation of composite solid propellant. From the DSC results, exothermic peaks range from 184-250⁰Cwhile the endothermic peaks range from 40-168⁰C.  thereby indicating the burning rate ability of the propellants in space.