A study of electrochemically treated PAN based carbon fibres by IGC and XPS

Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) has been used with conventional and novel probes in conjunction with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to assess the surface chemistry of a range of aged polyacrylonitrile carbon fibres. Using conventional probes the thermodynamic surface properties were investigated at 100 degrees C. The dispersive component of the surface free energy, gamma(d)(s), was determined and ranged from 73.1 mJ m(-2) to 92.2 mJ m(-2). Unconventional probes, chosen as analogues of the functionalities present in a potential matrix material, were also eluted through the IGC columns. Surface compositions and peak fitting of C Is spectra from XPS analysis helped identify groups on the fibre surface. Using these results, mechanisms of interactions occurring at the interface of a carbon fibre reinforced polymer composite have been proposed. Hydrogen bonding and stronger acid-base interactions are the main mechanisms of interactions. Although, the carbon fibres are aged, oxygen and nitrogen functionalities introduced from surface treatment have remained active. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.