Surrey NanoSystems is a company based in the UK responsible for the development of the ultrablack coating substance, Vantablack®, that is taking the world by storm. Vantablack holds the independently certified world record for the darkest man-made substance, absorbing wavelengths from UV, through visible, and into the infrared spectrum – 99.65% of natural light. The original coating has been developed further into a range of materials, including a spray coating with improved capabilities. Their coatings are superior to other ultrablack substances, with all Vantablack iterations having hemispherical reflectances of <1% when viewed from any angle. Vantablack has exciting applications ranging from space technology to automotive sensing, and even to art!

CNTs in Vantablack

The Vantablack coating is made possible through the incredible optical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). On CNT deposition, they form a coral-like structure full of cavities of variable sizes. Due to the different-sized cavities that trap a wide range of wavelengths, this surface absorbs photons from wavelengths ranging from UV through to infrared – making them full light spectrum absorbers. On colliding with the coating, the photons become trapped between the CNTs, bouncing between the nanotubes and losing energy with each bounce until almost all of the energy has been absorbed into the CNTs. A further key aspect of CNTs for producing Vantablack is their strength and flexibility. These properties ensure that the coating is resistant to mechanical shock and vibrations, ensuring its long-term stability.

Vantablack coating on crumpled tinfoil.

Testing Vantablack for Use in Space Instrumentation

Light pollution from the sun, moon, and Earth can hinder space exploration; as such, light suppression is a key feature of space observation systems. Vantablack recently collaborated with ABB, a space instrumentation expert, and the Canadian Space Agency to assess light suppression at ultra-low temperatures. Limitations with existing coatings include their increased light reflectance when exposed to cryogenic temperatures, a serious problem if this product is to be used in space. 

To assess this in Vantablack, ABB designed and produced a cryogenic far-infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy scan mechanism (FTSM) position feedback prototype using Vantablack to decrease proton leakage. Analysis showed that the use of Vantablack decreased photon leakage by 5 orders of magnitude, demonstrating its superior absorption at cryogenic temperatures. In addition, it was found that Vantablack reduced the design complexity and weight of the Fourier transform module.

The use of Vantablack in space instrumentation could improve performance, accuracy, and efficiency, enabling increased measurement precision, a deeper exploration of space, and ultimately the use of such instrumentation to explore the cold reaches of space without the fear of stray light interference.

TrimTabs’ Take

At TrimTabs, we love to see how the incredible properties of CNTs enable their use in such a wide range of applications across the world, and even in space. We are looking forward to seeing how Vantablack CNT coatings will support upcoming far-infrared space instrumentation!

To read the full white paper, click on the link below.

Vantablack coatings for cryogenic baffle assemblies