PROPERTIES OF CARBON-FIBERS MODIFIED BY OXYGEN PLASMA

Abstract

Oxygen plasma treatment was used to introduce functional groups on the surface of polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibers. The fiber surface was examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy after treatment. The amount of functional groups on the fiber surface initially increased with increasing treatment time up to 2 min, thereafter remaining constant. The variation of surface energy with plasma treatment showed a similar trend. The plasma treatment affected the surface area and the mechanical properties of carbon fibers. The surface area increased but the mechanical properties decreased with increasing treatment times. The plasma treatment also changed the morphology of the fiber surface.