LAUSR

Abstract Searching for a method for simple and low-cost preparation of polyimide (PI) composite film and exploring their atomic oxygen (AO) erosion resistance properties are highly important. For the first time we studied the AO erosion resistance of SiO2–Al2O3 doped composite PI film, and the associated sol–gel method and physical blending method were compared. After exposure to AO, all the nanocomposite film shows enhanced AO erosion resistance. Especially, a loading of 7.5 wt% SiO2–2.5 wt% Al2O3 can decrease the AO induced mass loss by 81% when compared to the pure PI, i.e. the AO resistance was increased by 4–5 times. It is found that with the same doping content, the AO resistance of the two-component (SiO2–Al2O3) hybrid PI film is notably higher than that of the single component one. The mechanism could be attributed to the SiO2–Al2O3 synergistic effect which induces a more stable protective layer on the material surface. The two-component PI composite film with enhanced AO resistance shows promise in the space applications where AO erosion has to be avoided.