Nano-MnFe2O4 particles were synthesized by co-precipitation phase inversion method and low-temperature combustion method respectively, using MnCl2, FeCl3, Mn（NO3）2, Fe（NO3）3, NaOH and C6H8O7. X-ray diffraction （XRD）, transmission electron microscope （TEM）, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FT-IR）, thermogravim-etry-differential thermal analysis （TG-DTA） and differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） were used to characterize the structure, morphology, thermal stability of MnFe2O4 and its catalytic performance to ammonium perchlorate. Results showed that single-phased and uniform spinel MnFe2O4 was obtained. The average particle size was about 30 and 20 nm. The infrared absorption peaks appeared at about 420 and 574 cm-1, and the particles were stable below 524 ℃. Using the two prepared catalysts, the higher thermal decomposition temperature of ammonium perchlorate was decreased by 77.3 and 84.9 ℃ respectively, while the apparent decomposition heat was increased by 482.5 and 574.3 J？g？1. The catalytic mechanism could be explained by the favorable electron transfer space provided by outer d orbit of transition metal ions and the high specific surface absorption effect of MnFe2O4 particles.
