The energy release law of gun propellants is one of the core and key factors determining the performance of barrel weapons， and the research on its control methods is of great significance. Based on the analysis of the propellant composition， structure and basic combustion law， the development and evolution of control methods for energy release law， such as geometry control， surface deterring and coating， and chemical molecule tailoring， were systematically summarized. Meanwhile， the control methods and technical characteristics of China''s independent innovation in recent years were analyzed， and the future directions of innovation and development were prospected. It is expected to provide reference and guidance for the research of gun propellants and charges applications in China.