Abstract
Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) is used to characterize the surfaces of carbon fibers subjected to electrolytic surface treatment at a range of treatment levels. Surface area analysis via BET shows only small differences in specific surface area as a function of treatment level. IGC data yield dispersive surface energies and the acid-base character of the fiber surfaces and show that surface treatment up to the standard level causes a reduction in the dispersive surface energy, consistent with surface oxidation and the corresponding X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results. Surface treatment also has a major effect on the acid-base characteristics of the fiber, its initially basic nature being replaced by acidic character and then amphoteric behavior at higher treatment levels.
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