Electrochemical surface functionalization of carbon fibers for chemical affinity improvement with epoxy resins

The purpose of this study is to increase the wetting properties of carbon fibers in order to improve the adhesion force between the fiber and the polymer matrix. Commercial carbon fibers were surface functionalized through cyclic voltammetry together with potentiostatic conditions in aqueous electrolyte solutions of H2SO4, in the presence of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylonitrile and N-vinylpyrrolidone monomers. The anodic and cathodic peaks were correlated with oxide formation and their partial reduction, respectively. The produced surface modified carbon fibers were wetted with epoxy resin so that to produce dumbbell type composites for tensile strength testing. The nature of oxygen containing groups on the fibers surface was determined by Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, the wetting properties of the treated carbon fibers were evaluated via contact angle measurements whereas the morphology of the coated fibers was investigated via scanning electron microscopy. Finally, the mechanical performance of the composites was evaluated by means of tensile testing and strength measurements. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.