Decomposição catalítica da hidrazina sobre irídio suportado em compósitos à base de nanofibras de carbono para propulsão espacial: testes em condições reais Catalytic decomposition of hydrazine over iridium supported on carbon nanofiber composites for propulsion in space: tests under real-life conditions

Abstract

The aim of this work is to present the catalytic performance of iridium supported on carbon nanofibers with macroscopic shaping in a 2 N hydrazine microthruster placed inside a vacuum chamber in order to reproduce real-life conditions. The performances obtained are compared to those of the commercial catalyst Shell 405. The carbon-nanofiber based catalyst showed better performance than the commercial catalyst from the standpoint of activity due to its texture and its thermal conductivity.

Keywords

• carbon nanofiber
• hydrazine decomposition
• satellite propulsion