Abstract
Micro catalytic reactors are alternative propulsion device that can be used on a nano satellite. When used with a monopropellant, $H_2O_2$, a micro catalytic reactor needs only one supply system as the monopropellant reacts spontaneously on contact with catalyst and releases heat without external ignition, while separate supply lines for fuel and oxidizer are needed for a bipropellant rocket engine. Additionally, $H_2O_2$ is in liquid phase at room temperature, eliminating the burden of storage for gaseous fuel and carburetion of liquid fuel. In order to design a micro catalytic reactor, an appropriate catalyst material must be selected. Considering the safety concern in handling the monopropellants and reaction performance of catalyst, we selected hydrogen peroxide at volume concentration of 70% and perovskite redox catalyst of lantanium cobaltate doped with strondium. Perovskite catalysts are known to have superior reactivity in reduction-oxidation chemical processes. In particular, lantanium cobaltate has better performance in chemical reactions involving oxygen atom exchange than other perovskite materials. In the present study, a process to prepare perovskite type catalyst, $La_{0.8}Sr_{0.2}CoO_3$, and measurement of its propellant decomposition performance in a test reactor are described.
