Space durable polymer/carbon nanotube films for electrostatic charge mitigation

Low color, flexible, space environmentally durable polymeric materials possessing sufficient surface resistivity (106–1010 Ω/square) for electrostatic charge (ESC) mitigation are of interest for potential applications on Gossamer spacecraft as thin film membranes on antennas, large lightweight space optics, and second surface mirrors. One method of incorporating intrinsic ESC mitigation while maintaining low color, flexibility, and optical clarity is through the utilization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). However, SWNTs are difficult to uniformly disperse in the polymer matrix. The approach reported herein employed amide acid polymers endcapped with alkoxysilane groups that could condense with oxygen containing functionalities that were present on the ends of SWNTs as a result of the oxidative purification treatment. These SWNTs were combined with the endcapped amide acid polymers in solution and subsequently cast as unoriented thin films. Two examples possessed electrical conductivity (measured as surface resistance and surface resistivity) sufficient for ESC mitigation at loading levels of ≤0.08 wt% SWNT as well as good retention of thermo-optical properties. The percolation threshold was determined to lie between 0.03 and 0.04 wt% SWNT loading. Electrical conductivity of the film remained unaffected even after harsh mechanical manipulation.