High Strength Graphite Nanofiber-Doped Polymer Films

The successful application of ultra-light structures on space platforms requires the development of highly innovative materials technology. Thin polymer films have long been considered a leading candidate for meeting these technology needs. While these materials promise to meet the weight requirements and, in some cases, the space environment durability issues, they are typically somewhat lacking in strength, tear resistance, and thermal stability. Physitron proposes an approach to augment the properties of current state-of-the-art polymer materials. This approach involves the use of graphite nanofibers (GNFs) as an additive for polymer films (specifically polyimides). The GNFs have an altered surface chemistry, which allows them to form covalent bonds with the polymer molecule, and are available in a number of geometries and atomic structures. The use of GNFs in a polymer matrix will result in a nanocomposite film material having increased strength, tear resistance, and thermal stability over conventional thin films. In Phase I, the feasibility of the use of GNFs will be demonstrated. Phase II will include the development of these materials for specific space applications.