Advances in nanomaterials for radiation protection in the aerospace industry: a systematic review

Nanomaterials stand out for their exceptional properties and innovative potential, especially in applications that protect against space radiation. They offer an innovative approach to this challenge, demonstrating notable properties of radiation absorption and scattering, as well as flexibility and lightness for the development of protective clothing and equipment. This review details the use of polymeric materials, such as polyimides (PIs), which are efficient at attenuating ultraviolet (UV) radiation and atomic oxygen. For example, PIs show a decrease in elongation at break by 10% after exposure to VUV radiation of 2000 equivalent solar hours. The thermal stability under vacuum UV (VUV) irradiation shows that colorless PIs like colorless aluminized polyimide (CPI)-T/Al exhibit an onset degradation temperature (Tonset) of 451 °C, while CPI-L/Al shows a degradation onset of 439 °C. Additionally, advancements in composite materials for gamma and neutron radiation shielding are covered. Materials such as fluorinated hyperbranched PIs display a decomposition temperature of approximately 450 °C, which ensures structural integrity during space missions involving radiation. Radiation absorption and scattering properties of these composites are assessed, with materials such as W-Bi₂O₃demonstrating a high linear attenuation coefficient of 2.5 MeV, enhancing their efficiency in protecting against gamma radiation. Mechanical and optical changes, such as a 15% increase in solar absorbance after exposure to VUV, are critical for prolonged space missions. Moreover, the integration of nanoparticles like graphene and carbon nanotubes into polymers has proven to be an efficient strategy for improving the shielding properties and stability of materials. Nanocomposites like BNTT-Ti display a neutron transmission reduction of 20%, further validating their potential for space applications. Future investigations will focus on optimizing the functionality, manufacturing, and compatibility of composite materials, as well as validating their performance under actual space mission conditions. Collaboration among material scientists, aerospace engineers, and space agencies is vital to transforming laboratory discoveries into viable solutions for radiation protection in space.