Response of MoS2-Sb2O3 film to low-earth-orbit space environment.

Many failures and anomalies of spacecrafts originated from space environmental factors. Meanwhile, MoS 2 based films have been widely used in space technology as solid lubricants. In this paper, the compact MoS 2 -Sb 2 O 3 composite film was rf-sputtered and exposed in low earth orbit (LEO) environment, which was aboard the exterior of Shenzhou-7 Manned Spaceship (SZMS-7). The results revealed that the space exposure effect on MoS 2 -Sb 2 O 3 composite film mainly exhibited the oxidation at the film surface layer less than 3.5 nm. No severe oxidation and cracking phenomena were observed from the space-exposed MoS 2 -Sb 2 O 3 composite film, which was normal for many space materials. Namely, the MoS 2 -Sb 2 O 3 composite film exhibited a better capability resistant to LEO space environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]