PROPERTIES OF CARBON-FIBERS MODIFIED BY OXYGEN PLASMA

Oxygen plasma treatment was used to introduce functional groups on the surface of polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibers. The fiber surface w as examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy after treatment. The a mount of functional groups on the fiber surface initially increased wi th increasing treatment time up to 2 min, thereafter remaining constan t. The variation of surface energy with plasma treatment showed a simi lar trend. The plasma treatment affected the surface area and the mech anical 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.