Abstract
In order to improve the atomic oxygen (AO) erosion resistance of polyimide films in low earth orbit space environment, a type PDMS/POSS hybrid coating on polyimide substrate was prepared based on a silanol terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-OH) and Octakis(trimethylsiloxy)octaprismosilsesquioxane (Q8[Si(CH3)3]8) by copolymerizing process in DMAc solution. The atomic oxygen exposure tests were carried out using a ground-based atomic oxygen simulation facility. The mass loss, surface morphology and surface chemical compositions of PDMS/POSS hybrid films before and after exposure to incremental AO flux were investigated by using microbalance and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The data indicated that a silica-rich layer was formed on the surface of the hybrid coating when the coating is exposed to AO flux, which could provide a protective barrier on the surface preventing further degradation of the polymer during extended exposure to AO and obviously improved the AO resistance of polyimide films.
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