Cyanate Ester–Lunar Regolith Composites for In Situ Fabrication of Structural Electronics on the Moon

The development of electronic substrates from locally available materials is critical for sustainable lunar infrastructure. This work investigates the synthesis, processing, and characterization of cyanate ester–lunar regolith simulant (CE-LRS) composites designed specifically for the extreme lunar environment. LRS were evaluated as functional fillers at loadings up to 55 wt.% with CE binder selected for its thermal stability (Tg > 230 °C), vacuum compatibility, and known radiation resistance from prior literature. A vacuum-assisted curing procedure was developed that utilizes the lunar environment as a processing advantage, reducing porosity from approximately 7% to less than 1% as quantified by X-ray micro-computed tomography. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that increased filler loading and vacuum processing enhanced the storage modulus and Tg through constraining polymer chain mobility at the filler-binder interface, confirming effective stress transfer and interfacial adhesion. Scanning electron microscopy also verified intimate polymer–filler wetting. Waveguide measurements in the microwave frequency range demonstrated that the composites remain non-magnetic while exhibiting moderately increased permittivity and low dielectric loss, meeting the requirements for radio-frequency substrate applications. Through material selection and process design that embraces, rather than ignores, lunar environmental constraints, this work establishes the CE-LRS composites that represent a viable pathway for the in situ fabrication of structural electronics on the Moon.