Effect of 2-phenoxyethanol pre-treatment on structure and adhesion properties of thermotropic liquid crystal polyarylate fibers

This study investigated the surface modification of thermotropic liquid crystal polyarylate (TLCP) fibers by 2-phenoxyethanol pre-treatment, specifically, whether it enhanced their interfacial adhesive properties. The surface chemical compositions and microstructures of both control and 2-phenoxyethanol pre-treated TLCP fibers were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Furthermore, thermal, dyeing, and adhesion properties of both control and 2-phenoxyethanol pre-treated fibers were compared by thermogravimetric analysis, colorimetry, and universal material testing system, respectively. The results indicated that 2-phenoxyethanol pre-treatment increased the surface-anchored oxygen atom amount: the oxygen to carbon atomic ratio at the surface of the TLCP fibers increased from 0.17 to 0.22. However, 2-phenoxyethanol pre-treatment showed almost no effect on the thermal stability and mechanical properties of the TLCP fibers. The peeling strength of the 2-phenoxyethanol pre-treated TLCP fabric was around twice that of the control TLCP fabric.