Catalytic graphitization of electroless Ni–P coated PAN-based carbon fibers Original Research Article

Catalytic graphitization of electroless Ni–P coated PAN-based carbon fibers is reported. PAN-based carbon fibers with and without electroless Ni–P coatings were heat treated and the structural changes were followed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, both of which indicate that the graphitization of PAN-based carbon fibers was enhanced in the presence of the coating. The graphitization was shown to be better for electroless Ni–P coated PAN-based carbon fibers heat treated at 1400 °C than for uncoated fibers heat treated at 2400 °C.