Surface characterization and electrical property of carbon fibers modified by air oxidation

Polyacrylonitrile‐based carbon fibers were modified by oxidation in air, and a systematic study of surface groups and surface resistance at different treated temperatures was made. Progressive fiber weight loss occurred with increasing extents of air oxidation, and it was approximately proportional to the extent of air oxidation from the onset of oxidation up to 400 °C. At this point 4.4% of the initial fiber weight had been lost. A faster loss of weight occurred as the extent of air oxidation increased from 400 °C to 700 °C. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies (C 1s and O 1s) indicated that the oxygen/carbon atomic ratio rose rapidly from 2.64% (as‐received carbon fiber) to 42.83% as the oxidation temperature was increased to 400 °C. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed the relative intensity of the peaks at about 3440 cm −1 from ―OH stretching vibrations and at 1634 cm −1 from ―CO stretching vibrations increased significantly at 400 °C. FESEM micrographs showed that as‐received fibers show relatively smooth surface. With oxidation temperature increasing, the fiber surface was rougher. The surface resistance of treated carbon fibers decreased obviously with increasing oxidation temperatures. The most decrease was about 100% at 400 °C. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.