Manuel Sanchez

Electrochemical Bonding of Amines to Carbon Fiber Surfaces Toward Improved Carbon‐Epoxy Composites

Electrochemical oxidation of ω‐diamines on carbon fibers allows the bonding of these molecules to the carbon fibers. The conditions leading to this surface modification are described, and the influence of the different parameters is discussed. The structure of the bonded layer is studied by voltammetry, XPS, and SIMS. A mechanism is proposed which involves the coupling of a radical cation to the fiber. Toughness of carbon‐epoxy composites is improved when prepared from these modified fibers.

Electrochemical method of surface treating carbon; carbon, in particular carbon fibers, treated by the method, and composite material including such fibers

The method is of the type in which carbon (3) is put into contact with a solution (2) of an amine compound in a bipolar solvent with the carbon being positively polarized relative to a cathode (5). According to the invention, the solvent is an organic compound, preferably an aprotic compound, having a high anode oxidation potential, and the solution is practically free from water.