Survivability of carbon nanotubes in space

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Survivability of carbon nanotubes in space

Ishikawa, Yoji / Fuchita, Yasuhiro / Hitomi, Takashi / Inoue, Yoku / Karita, Motoyuki / Hayashi, Kohei / Nakano, Takayuki / Baba, Naoko

Abstract

Abstract Carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns were exposed to the space environment on the international space station (ISS) at low Earth orbit (LEO) of around 400 km altitude. Ground-based comparison tests, including irradiation of atomic oxygen (AO), electron beam (EB) and ultraviolet (UV) individually for different sets of samples, were performed. Significant deterioration of the outer surface and substantial reduction in tensile strength were found for AO irradiated CNT yarns among the ground-based comparison tests. Transmission electron microscopic observation revealed that crystal structure of CNT was physically damaged showing sharp graphene edges. As to the space exposure tests, quite similar damages and decrease in tensile strength were observed on the CNT yarns. We found that high kinetic energy impacts of the AO at LEO cause severe damages on carbon crystal materials.

Highlights • The CNT yarns were damaged in space on its surface by attack from AO. • The tensile strength decreased to 40%–65% after exposure. • The G/D ratios of the Raman spectra showed generation of defects. • The Raman spectra also suggested the generation of graphene edges near the surface.

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Document information

Title :

Survivability of carbon nanotubes in space

Contributors:

Ishikawa, Yoji (author) / Fuchita, Yasuhiro (author) / Hitomi, Takashi (author) / Inoue, Yoku (author) / Karita, Motoyuki (author) / Hayashi, Kohei (author) / Nakano, Takayuki (author) / Baba, Naoko (author)

Published in:

Acta Astronautica ; 165 ; 129-138

Publication date :

2019-07-19

Size :

10 pages

ISSN :

0094-5765

DOI :

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2019.07.024

Type of media :

Article (Journal)