Contrasting mechanical and electromagnetic shielding properties of graphene and MXene coatings on PEEK composites: results for advanced aerospace and electronic applications

In the article, carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone thermoplastic matrix composite (PEEK) aviation material was coated with graphene and MXene (MAX phase is Ti2AlC) nanolayers using a thermionic vacuum arc (TVA) coating system to evaluate the nanomechanical and electromagnetic shielding properties of the coated samples. Graphene is an effective electrically conductive material that enhances the mechanical properties of materials. Graphene and MXene layers were coated on PEEK composites under high vacuum conditions. The accelerated voltage values were determined to be 300 and 600 volts for graphene and MXene coatings, respectively. Discharge currents were measured at 500 and 300 mA. According to electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, the coated layers are parallel to the PEEK surface. The mean Z-heights of the coatings are 200 and 400 nm for graphene and MXene, respectively. The average roughness values are 18, 50, 79, and 52 nm for the uncoated, graphene, MXene, and graphene-coated MXene onto PEEK samples, respectively. Graphene and MXene change the surface to be water-repellent compared to the uncoated PEEK composite samples. According to the EMS test, the graphene layer does not have shielding properties and even decreases the EMS properties of the material. MXene layers have shielding properties. The hardness measurements for the uncoated PEEK, MXene, graphene, and graphene-coated MXene on the PEEK surface are 14, 65, 1.85, and 68 GPa, respectively. Finally, contrasting mechanical and electromagnetic shielding properties of graphene and MXene (Ti2AlC) coatings on PEEK composites are presented.