Silane modified CrO/polyimide nanocomposite films with excellent surface insulation performance for space applications.

The exploration of deep space significantly increases the probability of spacecraft failures due to surface electrostatic discharge, which imposes higher vacuum insulation protection requirements on polyimide (PI), the external insulation material of spacecrafts. To address this challenge, this study proposes using silane coupling agent KH550 for organic grafting treatment of CrOnanoparticles, which are then used to dope and modify PI to enhance the vacuum surface insulation of PI films. The KH550 grafting improves the interface strength between the fillers and the matrix, allowing the fillers to be uniformly dispersed in the matrix.

Tailoring Organic/Inorganic Interface Trap States of Metal Oxide/Polyimide toward Improved Vacuum Surface Insulation.

High-voltage and high-power devices are indispensable in spacecraft for outer space explorations, whose operations require aerospace materials with adequate vacuum surface insulation performance. Despite persistent attempts to fabricate such materials, current efforts are restricted to trial-and-error methods and a universal design guideline is missing. The present work proposes to improve the vacuum surface insulation by tailoring the surface trap state density and energy level of the metal oxides with varied bandgaps, using coating on a polyimide (PI) substrate, aiming for a more systematical workflow for the insulation material design.

Study of TiO on the Voltage Holdoff Capacity of Cr/Mn-Doped AlO Ceramic in Vacuum.

With the development of vacuum electronic devices toward high power, high frequency, and miniaturization, the voltage holdoff capacity of the insulation materials in devices has also been raised to a higher demand. Cr/Mn/Ti-doped AlO ceramics were prepared, and the bulk density, micromorphology, phase composition, resistivity, secondary electron emission coefficient, and surface flashover threshold in the vacuum of the AlO were characterized. The results show that the addition of TiO to the AlO ceramic can promote the sintering of the ceramic.

Recycling experimental investigation on end of life photovoltaic panels by application of high voltage fragmentation.

With the rapid development of photovoltaic industry, the recycling of waste solar photovoltaic (PV) panels is becoming a critical and global challenge. Considering PV panels recycling is significantly effective and worthwhile to save natural resources and reduce the cost of production, how to selectively recycle valuable components of PV panels is the hot and dominant topic. Different from current mechanical crushing, heat treatment and chemical operation processes, novel and environment-friendly recycling approaches by using high voltage pulse discharge in water, called high voltage fragmentation (HVF), was discussed under different discharge conditions.