An investigation into the surface heterogeneity of nitric acid oxidized carbon fiber

Abstract The carbon fiber surface plays a critical role in the performance of carbon fiber composite materials and, thus it is important to have a thorough understanding of the fiber surface. A series of nitric acid treated intermediate modulus carbon fibers with increasing treatment level was prepared and characterized using a range of surface sensitive techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy. The results, which were found to be consistent with increasing treatment levels, were compared to the literature. Raman spectral mapping has been used to investigate the heterogeneity of the carbon fiber surface after nitric acid oxidation. The mapping enabled the effects of surface treatment on carbon fiber to be investigated at a spatial resolution unattainable by XPS and provided chemical structure information not provided by SEM or AFM. The highest level of treatment resulted in the most heterogeneous surface. Raman mapping, while time consuming, can provide valuable information which can lead to an enhanced understanding of the heterogeneity of the carbon fiber surface.