XPS study of the carbon fiber matrix interface

Abstract X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) combined with gas phase chemical modification was applied to study the variation of the carbon structure and quantity of functional groups introduced by oxidation of a carbon fiber surface. The amount of functional groups effective for adhesion of the matrix at the interface was correlated to the fractional coverage of an epoxide on the fiber surface using a liquid phase chemical modification process. A mechanism for adhesion was proposed.