Surface oxidized carbon fibers: II. Chemical modification Original Research Article

The surface functional groups of various surface oxidized carbon fibers were chemically modified by reaction with methanol/HCl and reduction with sodium boron hydride and lithium aluminum hydride. Investigations of these fibers before and after chemical modification by CAM (contact angle measurements), XPS and TPD showed that none of the reactions are selective as expected. Complete conversion of the relevant groups at the fiber surface cannot be determined with the methods available. Therefore, they have to be handled very carefully especially if used for studying adhesion of polymers.