Preparation of carbon fiber/ZnO core-shell structure by a simple method

Carbon fiber/ZnO was prepared by surface modification precipitation in aqueous solution. Corresponding nucleation and crystal growth model was proposed for this structure. The effects of annealing temperature on the structure and absorptive properties of the composites were investigated. Results showed that obtained ZnO shell was ca. 200 nm on the surface of carbon fiber. The ZnO coating can protect the CFs from oxidation at a relatively high temperature. Energy bandgap calculated from the absorptive spectra was about 3.30 eV.