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NASA NTRS · 20040065975

Polyimide/Carbon Nanotube Composite Films for Electrostatic Charge Mitigation

Smith, Joseph G., Jr.·Delozier, Donavon M.·Connell, John W.·Watson, Kent A.
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Abstract

Low 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.

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Smith, Joseph G., Jr., Delozier, Donavon M., Connell, John W., Watson, Kent A.. 2004-03-25. Polyimide/Carbon Nanotube Composite Films for Electrostatic Charge Mitigation. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20040065975

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