Liquid-Phase Oxidation Modification of Carbon Fiber Surface
The carbon fibers were subjected to liquid–phase oxidation treatment in 65% nitric acid solution. The relation between liquid-phase oxidation time and structure of carbon fibers had been assessed by LRS, XRD, SEM, and FTIR. The results indicate that smaller surface crystallites obtained by etching and more unsaturated carbon created after treatment, and corrosion enhanced with the increase of oxidation time. But nitric acid oxidation treatment does not change the bulk structure of carbon fibers. After nitric acid treated, the grooves of surface is wider and deeper compared to the original carbon fiber, When the oxidation times reach 12 hours, the surface of carbon fibers is severely damage. When the oxidation times reach 6 hours, there is not any characteristic peek in the FTIR. But after oxidation treatment for 9 hours, -COOH, -OH can be found from FTIR. So the best time for liquid-phase oxidation process is 9 hours.