Electrochemical oxidation of carbon fibers: Properties, surface chemistry and morphology.

摘要

A series of PAN-based T300 carbon fibers was continuously, electrochemically oxidized in aqueous and organic media. A 30% fiber weight loss was obtained at an extent of oxidation of 10,600 C/g. Acidic functional groups were produced on fiber surfaces in amounts from 0 to 2640 μmol/g as the extent of oxidation increased from 0 to 10600 C/g. These surface functions were further reacted with diethylenetriamine to introduce amine functions onto fibers. The oxidation extended far deeper than the XPS detection limit (100 Å). N ₂ BET at 77K gave very low fiber specific surface area in contrast to CO₂ DR measurements at 273 K which confirmed large increases in surface area with oxidation. No heavy damage or macro-/mesopores were found in scanning electron micrographs. An ultramicropore structure was characterized by the CO₂ DR method combined with nonlocal density functional theory. The average pore diameter was about 1.2 nm with a dominant pore diameter of 0.4 nm. CCl₄, methylene blue, I₂, AgNO₃, and Ni(NO₃)₂ adsorption studies were performed. A pH-dependent swelling model was discussed. In basic media, a solvation/swelling process allows small molecules to penetrate the microporous channels and react with fiber functional groups. A remote site silver reduction/adsorption model was confirmed based upon high AgNO₃ adsorption and qualitative experiments. Single filament breaking and fragmentation tests and fiber/epoxy composite mechanical tests were conducted. Fiber/epoxy matrix adhesion was improved by oxidation although the fiber tensile strength decreased. Post-heat treatment causes further weight loss and the loss of oxygen-containing surface functional groups.