P. Giri, M.J. Schulz
University of Cincinnati,
United States
Keywords: carbon nanotubes, lunar dust, shielding
Summary:
Carbon nanotube (CNT)-based textiles represent a new class of multifunctional materials with strong potential for lunar exploration, particularly in addressing the challenges posed by lunar dust. Lunar regolith is highly abrasive, electrostatically adhesive, and detrimental to both machinery and apparel. Friction studies on CNT sheets demonstrated that the incorporation of lunar regolith simulant reduced static and sliding friction coefficients by up to 33% and 22%, respectively, while the particles exhibited low adhesion and could be easily removed without water, highlighting their promise as lunar dust shields. In addition to abrasion resistance, CNT sheets passed flammability standards (ASTM D6413/D6413M) and exhibited durability under extreme conditions, reinforcing their suitability for space applications. Beyond dust mitigation, CNT textiles can be engineered into multifunctional composites that combine mechanical strength, flame resistance, energy storage, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. Proof-of-concept CNT/glass fiber structural capacitors showed stable capacitance (~0.33–0.371 nF at 20 °C), survived propane torch testing, and demonstrated compliance with flammability standards, underscoring their ability to provide structural support, EMI shielding, and real-time health monitoring while storing energy. Similarly, CNT-silicone/Kevlar fabrics produced through scalable floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition achieved EMI shielding effectiveness up to 80 dB in the X-band, among the highest reported for CNT-based fabrics, while maintaining flexibility, stitchability, and scalability for textile integration. Together, these studies highlight CNT-based textiles as lightweight, flame-resistant, electrically conductive, and multifunctional materials that can mitigate lunar dust effects while simultaneously enabling EMI shielding, structural energy storage, and protective garment applications. Their adaptability and scalability position them as promising next-generation textiles for lunar missions, aerospace systems, and advanced terrestrial technologies.