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Polymer-Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Composites for Potential Spacecraft Applications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2011

Cheol Park ,
Zoubeida Ounaies ,
Kent A. Watson ,
Kristin Pawlowski ,
Sharon E. Lowther ,
John W. Connell ,
Emilie J. Siochi ,
Joycelyn S. Harrison  and
Terry L. St. Clair
Cheol Park
Affiliation:
ICASE MS-226, Hampton VA 23681-2199
Zoubeida Ounaies
Affiliation:
ICASE MS-226, Hampton VA 23681-2199
Kent A. Watson
Affiliation:
ICASE MS-226, Hampton VA 23681-2199
Kristin Pawlowski
Affiliation:
Advanced Materials and Processing Branch, NASA Langley Research Center
Sharon E. Lowther
Affiliation:
Advanced Materials and Processing Branch, NASA Langley Research Center
John W. Connell
Affiliation:
Advanced Materials and Processing Branch, NASA Langley Research Center
Emilie J. Siochi
Affiliation:
Advanced Materials and Processing Branch, NASA Langley Research Center
Joycelyn S. Harrison
Affiliation:
Advanced Materials and Processing Branch, NASA Langley Research Center
Terry L. St. Clair
Affiliation:
Advanced Materials and Processing Branch, NASA Langley Research Center
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Abstract

Polymer-single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) composite films were prepared and characterized as part of an effort to develop polymeric materials with improved combinations of properties for potential use on future spacecraft. Next generation spacecraft will require ultra-lightweight materials that possess specific and unique combinations of properties such as radiation and atomic oxygen resistance, low solar absorptivity, high thermal emissitivity, electrical conductivity, tear resistance, ability to be folded and seamed, and good mechanical properties. The objective of this work is to incorporate sufficient electrical conductivity into space durable polyimides to mitigate static charge build-up. The challenge is to obtain this level of conductivity (10-8 S/cm) without degrading other properties of importance, particularly optical transparency. Several different approaches were attempted to fully disperse the SWNTs into the polymer matrix. These included high shear mixing, sonication, and synthesizing the polymers in the presence of pre-dispersed SWNTs. Acceptable levels of conductivity were obtained at loading levels less than one tenth weight percent SWNT without significantly sacrificing optical properties. Characterization of the nanocomposite films and the effect of SWNT concentration and dispersion on the conductivity, solar absorptivity, thermal emissivity, mechanical and thermal properties were discussed. Fibers and non-woven porous mats of SWNT reinforced polymer nanocomposite were produced using electrospinning.

Type
Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 706: Symposium Z – Making Functional Materials with Nanotubes , 2001 , Z3.30.1
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2002

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