The CuO nanocrystals were prepared by quick-precipitation and hydrolysis method respectively, using Cu(Ac)2 and NaOH as starting materials. The as-prepared CuO nanocrystals were characterized by XRD, TEM, XPS, UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy and BET. The catalysis of CuO nanocrystals of different morphologies on ammonium perchlorate decomposition was investigated by thermal analysis. Results indicated the variation in temperature for NaOH addition played an important role in the shape of the CuO nanocrystals in precipitation method. Well-dispersed spherical CuO nanocrystals with an average size of 6 nm could be obtained when NaOH was added at 100 ℃ and spindle-shaped CuO nanocrystals exceeding 100 nm in diameter were obtained when NaOH was added at room temperature. Needle-shaped CuO nanocrystals could be prepared by the hydrolysis method, and the presence of small amounts of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) could make needle-shaped CuO well dispersed. The catalytic activity of CuO nanocrystals of different morphologies on ammonium perchlorate decomposition was high. The 2% of spherical CuO nanocrystals could make higher decomposition temperature of ammonium perchlorate decreased to 102 ℃. The exothermic quantity of decomposition was from 590 J·g-1 up to 1 420 J·g-1.
