At the start of the project a feasibility study was started to evaluate the current state-of-the-art, requirements for functional parts and possible graphene-based solutions. Via DoE-approaches optimised parameter sets were determined for graphene oxide production, reduction of graphene oxide, or the deposition of Ag-particles on graphene oxide. Due to agglomeration and insufficient dispersion efficiency, an alternative approach via spray-coating was developed. The spray coating process showed good results and reduced graphene oxide layers with sufficient conductivity for de-icing applications were produced and tested in terms of heating functionality. Preliminary fire barrier tests showed no significant influence in flame inhibition properties. In terms of water uptake prevention, the addition of reduced graphene oxide to the epoxy system showed a positive effect reducing the water uptake.
Further non-functional properties like corrosion behaviour and mechanical testing were carried aout during the project. The addition of graphene oxide improves the corrosions protection due to it's barrier effect in the epoxy resin. In a series of mechanical tests, it was shown that the addition of graphene oxide only slightly (< 10%) worsens the mechanical properties.
To demonstrate the project results and the multifunctionality of graphene-based materials, leading edge demonstrators with a size of 400x200x1 mm were produced with a NACA2412 leading-edge geometry at the end of the project.
In terms of dissemination and communication of results a website was established and is updated regularly. Additionally, social media posts on project news were published on the Instagram and Linkedin channels of CEST.
Via six conference participations (3 oral presentations and 3 poster presentations) at scientific conferences, results of the project were presented and discussed with the audience.
Furthermore, 3 open access publications were prepared to communicate scientific results. Two of them are already accepted and published (
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15134639(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) and
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16041743(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)). The third publication has already been accepted and will be published in Q2 2023.
Within the scope of the GRAPHICING project, a PhD student was able to work on his PhD studies in cooperation with the University of Vienna, which should conclude in the defence of the thesis “Development of graphene-based materials for aeronautical applications” mid 2023.
Additionally two student internships were executed to train young female researchers on graphene-based materials. Within the consortium, 3 workshops were organized to exchange know-how.
