Electrically Conductive Polyimide/Graphene Nanocomposites for Advanced Space Applications

Aromatic polyimides (PI) with high resistance to radiation combined with functional graphene- based fillers are promising materials for a wide range of space applications, such as those involving sensors, antibacterial coatings and external spacecraft or satellite components. In this work, nanocomposites made of a fluorinated and aromatic polyimide filled with graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) (different concentration from 5 to 20 wt%) are prepared following an eco- friendly approach with a bio-based solvent, dimethyl isosorbide (DMI), used for the polymer synthesis and the composite processing. Several experimental techniques are used to investigate the morphology and surface properties of the PI/GNP nanocomposites, assessing their potential application in space environments, in particular for low Earth orbit (LEO).