GF06 - Functional coatings and interfaces in high-performance, low-weight technological applications

Motivation

Thanks to their monoatomic thickness and large aspect ratio, graphene and related materials (GRMs) can be ideal coatings to modify/improve the properties of an interface. Graphene’s excellent mechanical, thermal, gas barrier and electrical properties have potential for high performance coatings with elevate stability, to prevent electrical or heath damage in harsh environments. E.g., in space applications temperature can quickly change from >400°C to <−140°C; out–gassing of volatile components, including desorption of water vapour, should be lower than 0.1 % mass; electromagnetic shielding form external sources or adjacent instruments is also a major issue. GRMs could provide electrical and thermal conductivity and yet be a cost-effective solution for high-added value applications (aeronautics, automotive, aerospace) were stability in extreme conditions, low-weight, low-permeability and high-performance are required. While protecting the substrate, these coatings can also give other functional properties, from basic ones (resistance to solvents, flammability reduction, UV radiation shielding, conductive-antistatic behaviour) to more complex functionalities, such as in-situ strain measurements in materials or devices subject to high mechanical or thermal stress.

This call topic targets functional coatings in interfaces (either buried or not) of technologically relevant composites. The main aim is to include GRM-based coatings in commercial, high performance composites, or high-power cables, either on the external surface or at the interface between different materials in the composite.
Complementarities are envisaged with WP10(Nanocomposites), WP1(Materials). Consortia must be industry led.

Objectives

• Include GRM in the outer or inner interfaces of composites having a complex multi-scale architecture due to the presence of mesoscopic/microscopic additives. E.g., carbon and glass fibers or silica particles.
• Target functionalities such as: electrical conductivity, resistance to gas permeation, improved chemical properties, heat dissipation, high temperature stability.
• Benchmark the technological advantage of the obtained prototypes against composites based on 3-dimensional additives already commercial, such as carbon black, graphite powders, etc.
• Prototype material production must be on a relevant scale (i.e., larger than 200 grams or 100 cm3 per batch).
• Metal-graphene-polymer composites to be used in the production of a new generation of high-power conductors, i.e. wires, cables and sheets exhibiting excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. Emphasis should be given on how the proposed approach is advantageous compared to present commercial technologies.

Impact

• Produce innovative functional composites featuring a complex, multi-scale architecture with GRMs at the interfaces between the different material components.
• Demonstrate the advantages of these GRM-based composites compared to 3-dimensional additives and powders already commercial.
• Demonstrate the feasibility and the industrial interest of the target application.