Studying wearing resistance of graphene-based materials for the project of the first in the world probe microscope – Earth satellite by solar wind plasma emulation

Abstract

Abstract In situ monitoring the surface and structure stability of the constructional material in the conditions of outer space solar wind is an interesting scientific and engineering problem. For this purpose, as a part of the project of the first in the world probe microscope – space satellite, multilayered graphenes were plasma treated in conditions imitating solar wind and studied by scanning probe microscope in laboratory conditions. Accelerating factor of laboratory plasma treatment was estimated in order to compare the result with further solar wind exposure in outer space. Multilayered graphenes were selected for the study because if their promising properties as light shields – for equipment protection, as well as for material for solar sailing. It was found that plasma treatment affects surface morphology, and these changes correlate with the duration of the treatment. Thus, the applied method can be applied to simulate the erosional effect of the solar wind on structural materials in open space.