Surface characterization of PVP-sized and oxygen plasma-treated carbon fibers

The objectives of this work were to characterize the surface of commercial carbon fibers, focusing on the effect of polymer sizing and the effect of oxygen radiofrequency plasma treatment. The fiber surface composition was determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the surface topography was examined by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Voltage-contrast XPS distinguished between unsized and sized carbon fibers, by which the former behaved as a conductive material whereas the latter behaved as a mixture of both conductive and non-conductive materials due to a contribution from a polymeric sizing material. The AFM measurements revealed that oxygen plasma treatment for 30 s roughened the unsized fiber surfaces; however, further treatment smoothed the overall topography. Oxygen plasma treatment for 30 s also increased the surface oxygen content. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.