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Polyimide/Carbon Nanotube Composite Films for Electrostatic Charge MitigationLow color, space environmentally durable polymeric films with sufficient electrical conductivity to mitigate electrostatic charge (ESC) build-up have potential applications on large, deployable, ultra-light weight Gossamer spacecraft as thin film membranes on antennas, solar sails, thermal/optical coatings, multi-layer insulation blankets, etc.. The challenge has been to develop a method to impart robust electrical conductivity into these materials without increasing solar absorptivity (alpha ) or decreasing optical transparency or film flexibility. Since these spacecraft will require significant compaction prior to launch, the film portion of the spacecraft will require folding. The state-of-the-art clear, conductive coating (e.g. indium-tin-oxide, ITO) is brittle and cannot tolerate folding. In this report, doping a polymer with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) using two different methods afforded materials with good flexibility and surface conductivities in the range sufficient for ESC mitigation. A coating method afforded materials with minimal effects on the mechanical, optical, and thermo-optical properties as compared to dispersal of SWNTs in the matrix. The chemistry and physical properties of these nanocomposites are discussed.
Document ID
20040065975
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Other
Authors
Smith, Joseph G., Jr.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Delozier, Donavon M.
(National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council Hampton, VA, United States)
Connell, John W.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Watson, Kent A.
(National Inst. of Aerospace Research Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
March 25, 2004
Subject Category
Composite Materials
Meeting Information
Meeting: 41st Space Congress
Location: Cape Canaveral, FL
Country: United States
Start Date: April 27, 2004
End Date: April 30, 2004
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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