The perovskite-type oxides LaMO3 (M = Fe, Co, Ni) were prepared by a glycine combustion method using La (NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O and Fe (NO3)(3)center dot 9H(2)O, Co (NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O, Ni (NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O as the raw materials, respectively, and C2H5NO2 as gelating agent. The products were characterized by XRD, TEM, HRTEM, SEM and BET. The catalytic activity of LaMO3 (M = Fe, Co, Ni) nanocrystals; on thermal decomposition of NH4CIO4 (AP) were carried out by DTA and TG. The burning rate of the propellant modified by obtained LaCoO3 was measured by strand burner method. The experimental results showed that the obtained products can play a catalytic role in the thermal decomposition of AP and combustion of AP-based propellant. The order of the catalytic performance of obtained products on AP thermal decomposition is LaCoO3 > LaNiO3 approximate to LaFeO3. Adding 2% of LaCoO3 nanocrystals to AP decreases the decomposition temperature by 134 degrees C and increases the heat of decomposition by 0.8 kJ g(-1). Compared with basic propellant, the burning rate of propellant modified by 1% LaCoO3 nanocrystals increases around 8%. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.