Characterization of copper-plated conductive fibers after pretreatment with supercritical carbon dioxide and surface modification using Lyocell fiber

Metal plating onto the fibers using supercritical fluid (SCF) is a manufacturing technology used to make highly conductive fiber; further research is being carried out actively on synthetic fibers such as aramid, polyester and nylon fibers. However, metal plating onto the fibers using SCF has some problems. The adhesion between the fiber and plate metal is not high, and this method requires heat stability because of the high temperature and pressure under supercritical state, so natural fibers are of limited use. This paper investigated Lyocell fiber, which is cellulose fiber and has good heat stability, to find the optimum condition of the supercritical pretreatment. After making conductive fibers, abrasion and washing tests were carried out to examine adhesion between the fiber and plated metal. Also, to improve the adhesion between the fiber and metal much more, an attempt has been made to change the surface modification of the fiber by oxygen plasma, acid or base. In particular, the copper-plated conductive fiber after plasma treatment had high conductive properties, even after abrasion and washing tests were conducted.