CARBON PERGAMON Carbon4l(2003)1905-1915 Bulk and surface chemical functionalities of type Ill PAN-based carbon fibres Elzbieta Pamula,. Paul G. Rouxhet AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, al. A. Mickiewic=a 30, 30-059 Krako Poland Universite catholique de Louvain, Unite de chimie des interfaces, Croix du Sud 2118, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium Received 15 June 2002; accepted 15 April 2003 Abstract PAN-based carbon fibres carbonised at relatively low temperature, i.e. type Ill carbon fibres, were submitted to heat treatment at 2300C(GR)or oxidation in nitric acid. The samples were characterised by XPs, FtiR, wetting measurements, as adsorption, elemental analysis and acid/ base titration. While oxidation only slightly affects the nitrogen concentration, it produces an appreciable change in the nature of the chemical functions, namely the conversion of pyridine-type nitrogen and quaternary nitrogen into aliphatic functions. Oxidation treatment modifies all the material constituting the fibre, the oxygen concentration being about 1.5 times higher at the fibre external surface compared with the whole material. Three components 531.2, 532.6 and 533.8 ev) are clearly identified in the oxygen XPS peak, allowing a comparison to be made between the whole material and the external surface regarding chemical species. The acidic groups are mainly carboxyl. Fibres submitted to extensive oxidation also show a high basicity, attributed mainly to calcium carboxylate. Although the acidic and basic groups present in the whole material can be titrated with aqueous solutions, the fibres develop only a very small surface area and no microporosity as determined by krypton adsorption. The material may be viewed as a sponge, collapsed when dry but able to swell in water and developing a high cation-exchange capacity e 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved Keywords: A. Carbon fibers; B. Chemical treatment; C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Infrared spectroscopy; D. Functional groups 1. Introduction resin composites, is treatment with nitric acid. It was found to affect the texture and surface chemical composition of Polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibres have been used both types of fibres, although the susceptibility to oxida- extensively in composites technology for the last two tion of type I carbon fibres is less than that of type ll, due decades. High modulus carbon fibres(type I, HM)are to a more graphitic and less reactive surface [1, 2]. Electro- obtained at high temperature (above 2000 C)and high chemical oxidation not only results in modification of the strength fibres(type Il, HT)are obtained typically at 1500 surface of type Il carbon fibres, but also leads to the C. The surface properties of both types of carbon fibres formation of chemical functionalities in deeper parts of the have been the subject of many papers, reviews and fibres 3] monographs [1, 2]. It is known that specific surface area, On the other hand, there are only a few publications on a surface energy and surface chemical functionalities in- third type of PAN-based carbon fibre, which is obtained at fluence the behaviour of the carbon fibre-matrix interface relatively low carbonisation temperature(below 1300C) nd, as a result, the mechanical performance of compos- [4-6]. These fibres are called low-temperature carbonised, tes. One of the most widely used wet oxidative treatments, or high-strain because of their relatively high elongation effectively improving the shear properties of carbon fibre or simply type Ill [1]. Due to the lower carbonisation temperature they are less crystalline, which makes them orresponding author. Tel. +48-12-617-2503: fax: +48-12- more sensitive to oxidation than type I or ll; however, the 633-4630 effect of oxidation of these fibres in wet conditions has E-imail address: epamula@ uci agh.edu.pl(E. Pamula) received little attention so far. Nitric acid oxidation of 0008-6223/03/S-see front matter 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved doi:10.1016/S0008-6223(03)00177-5
Carbon 41 (2003) 1905–1915 B ulk and surface chemical functionalities of type III PAN-based carbon fibres a, b Elzbieta Pamula , Paul G. Rouxhet * a AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow´ , Poland b Universite catholique de Louvain ´ ´ , Unite de chimie des interfaces, Croix du Sud 2/18, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium Received 15 June 2002; accepted 15 April 2003 Abstract PAN-based carbon fibres carbonised at relatively low temperature, i.e. type III carbon fibres, were submitted to heat treatment at 2300 8C (GR) or oxidation in nitric acid. The samples were characterised by XPS, FTIR, wetting measurements, gas adsorption, elemental analysis and acid/base titration. While oxidation only slightly affects the nitrogen concentration, it produces an appreciable change in the nature of the chemical functions, namely the conversion of pyridine-type nitrogen and quaternary nitrogen into aliphatic functions. Oxidation treatment modifies all the material constituting the fibre, the oxygen concentration being about 1.5 times higher at the fibre external surface compared with the whole material. Three components (531.2, 532.6 and 533.8 eV) are clearly identified in the oxygen XPS peak, allowing a comparison to be made between the whole material and the external surface regarding chemical species. The acidic groups are mainly carboxyl. Fibres submitted to extensive oxidation also show a high basicity, attributed mainly to calcium carboxylate. Although the acidic and basic groups present in the whole material can be titrated with aqueous solutions, the fibres develop only a very small surface area and no microporosity as determined by krypton adsorption. The material may be viewed as a sponge, collapsed when dry but able to swell in water and developing a high cation-exchange capacity. 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: A. Carbon fibers; B. Chemical treatment; C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Infrared spectroscopy; D. Functional groups 1. Introduction resin composites, is treatment with nitric acid. It was found to affect the texture and surface chemical composition of Polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibres have been used both types of fibres, although the susceptibility to oxidaextensively in composites technology for the last two tion of type I carbon fibres is less than that of type II, due decades. High modulus carbon fibres (type I, HM) are to a more graphitic and less reactive surface [1,2]. Electroobtained at high temperature (above 2000 8C) and high chemical oxidation not only results in modification of the strength fibres (type II, HT) are obtained typically at 1500 surface of type II carbon fibres, but also leads to the 8C. The surface properties of both types of carbon fibres formation of chemical functionalities in deeper parts of the have been the subject of many papers, reviews and fibres [3]. monographs [1,2]. It is known that specific surface area, On the other hand, there are only a few publications on a surface energy and surface chemical functionalities in- third type of PAN-based carbon fibre, which is obtained at fluence the behaviour of the carbon fibre–matrix interface relatively low carbonisation temperature (below 1300 8C) and, as a result, the mechanical performance of compos- [4–6]. These fibres are called low-temperature carbonised, ites. One of the most widely used wet oxidative treatments, or high-strain because of their relatively high elongation, effectively improving the shear properties of carbon fibre– or simply type III [1]. Due to the lower carbonisation temperature they are less crystalline, which makes them *Corresponding author. Tel.: 148-12-617-2503; fax: 148-12- more sensitive to oxidation than type I or II; however, the 633-4630. effect of oxidation of these fibres in wet conditions has E-mail address: epamula@uci.agh.edu.pl (E. Pamula). received little attention so far. Nitric acid oxidation of 0008-6223/03/$ – see front matter 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/S0008-6223(03)00177-5
1906 E. Pamua, P G. Rouxhet /Carbon 41(2003)1905-1915 carbon fibres obtained at 1250C was found to influence Millipore)and dried in a nitrogen flow(sample Ox+1+ their mechanical properties. a decrease of Youngs HCD) modulus from 200 to 100 GPa [7 and an increase of their ultimate strain to failure from 1.5 to 2.6%[8 were 2.2 Methods observed, making these fibres appropriate for medical applications, as ligament and tendon prostheses or sutures 2.2/. Textural measurements the chemistry of these fibres has not been reviewed in the optica diameter of the carbon fibres was measured by [7-10]. However, the influence of nitric acid oxidation on scopy (Lanametr). The average diameter and literature up to now confidence interval were calculated from 100 measure- The aim of the present work was to study the influence ments of individual fibres(a of nitric acid oxidation on the properties of type Ill PAN-based carbon fibres and to investigate the nature the chemical functionalities created, distinguishing be- determined by krypton adsorption at 77K with an tween the external fibre surface and the whole material matic Micrometrics 2400 apparatus and calculated The results also provide advances in the assignment of the the Brunauer, Emmet and Teller (BET)equation. KPS O,s peak components and in the characterisation of basic sites. For comparison, a carbon fibre sample heated 2. 2.2. Contact angle at high temperature in an inert atmosphere was also Wetting of the carbon fibres was determined by the Wilhelmy method using a Cahn Dynamic Contact Angle analy Balance(DCA 322). An elementary fibre(10 mm long) was attached to a nichrome wire with a small piece of 2. Experimental adhesive paper and hung on the arm of the microbalance First, the perimeter of the fibre was determined by means 2.1. Materials of hexane, a low surface tension liquid that wets the surface of the fibre (0=0). This was performed by Carbon fibres (in the form of braid consisting of 18 recording one wetting cycle of immersion and emersion owings and 1800 elementary fibres in each roving) were (advancing-receding), which did not show any hysteresis obtained from polyacrylonitrile(PAN) precursor(produced Then the wetting cycle was recorded with water. The rate from 93% acrylonitrile, 5.9% methyl methacrylate and of displacement was 20 um/s. The cos e was calculated 1. 1% itaconic acid; Chemical Fibres Institute, Lodz, Po- using Eq (D) after correction for buoyancy(F,advancing land)by thermal processing, first in air(stabilisation or receding force; n, surface tension of the liquid; P. process) and then in an inert atmosphere(carbonisation perimeter process).Therefore, the samples were heated in air(heat- F=Px cos 8 ing rate 100C/h)to 230C, maintained at this tempera- ture for 8 h and then heated in nitrogen(heating rate 300 The surface tensions of water and hexane were checked °C/h)to1250C[l using the platinum ring method(Kruss, Hamburg) Six different samples of carbon fibres were prepared. All fibres were carbonised at 1250C (untreated, UN). One 2.2.3. XPs analysis sample(GR) was further heat treated to 2300C in an inert The surface chemical compe position of the carbon fibres atmosphere. A batch of uN was oxidised for 1 h with was determined by XPS, using an SSI X-Probe(SSX-100/ boiling 68% HNO,(oxidised, OX)[Il] After oxidation 206)spectrometer from Fisons, interfaced to a Hewlett- fibres were washed in flowing distilled water for 3 h and Packard 9000/310 computer allowing instrument control then dried at 105C. In order to increase the degree of data accumulation and data treatment. The spectrometer oxidation, OX samples, stored for about I year in normal used monochromatised Al Ka X-ray radiation(1486.6 ev). atmosphere, were treated again in boiling 68% HNO, for Since the samples were conductors, the fiood-gun was 5-3 h(samples OX+0.5 OX+I and OX+3, respective turned off. The pressure during the analyses was between ly ). After treatment, carbon fibres were again washed in 4.5x10 and 2.4x10 Torr. The irradiated zone was an distilled water for 3 h and then dried at 105C. The fibres elliptic spot with a shorter axis of 1000 um. The constant were not submitted to more extensive washing in alkaline pass energy was 150 and 50 ev for wide-scan and detailed conditions or organic solutions, the aim was to characterise peak analysis, respectively. The following sequences of the materials as processed, keeping in mind that extraction petra were recorded: wide-scan spectrum, Cis, os,N would influence the nature of the product obtained Ca2p and Cis again to check for the absence of sample In order to confirm XPS spectral assignments, 0. 2 g of degradation. sample OX+I was immersed in 2.5 ml of 0.1 N HCI Data treatment was performed with the ESCA.3 D solution in a plastic vial for 72 h at room temperature, software provided by the spectrometer manufacturer. The washed in water(purified with a Milli-Q plus system from binding energy (Eb)of the main lines(Cis, Ois, nis)was
1906 E. Pamula, P.G. Rouxhet / Carbon 41 (2003) 1905–1915 carbon fibres obtained at 1250 8C was found to influence Millipore) and dried in a nitrogen flow (sample OX111 their mechanical properties. A decrease of Young’s HCl). modulus from 200 to 100 GPa [7] and an increase of their ultimate strain to failure from 1.5 to 2.6% [8] were 2 .2. Methods observed, making these fibres appropriate for medical applications, as ligament and tendon prostheses or sutures 2 .2.1. Textural measurements [7–10]. However, the influence of nitric acid oxidation on The diameter of the carbon fibres was measured by the chemistry of these fibres has not been reviewed in the optical microscopy (Lanametr). The average diameter and literature up to now. confidence interval were calculated from 100 measureThe aim of the present work was to study the influence ments of individual fibres (a 5 95%). of nitric acid oxidation on the properties of type III The specific surface area of the carbon fibres was PAN-based carbon fibres and to investigate the nature of determined by krypton adsorption at 77 K with an auto- the chemical functionalities created, distinguishing be- matic Micrometrics 2400 apparatus and calculated using tween the external fibre surface and the whole material. the Brunauer, Emmet and Teller (BET) equation. The results also provide advances in the assignment of the XPS O peak components and in the characterisation of 1s 2 .2.2. Contact angle basic sites. For comparison, a carbon fibre sample heated Wetting of the carbon fibres was determined by the at high temperature in an inert atmosphere was also Wilhelmy method using a Cahn Dynamic Contact Angle analysed. Balance (DCA 322). An elementary fibre (10 mm long) was attached to a nichrome wire with a small piece of adhesive paper and hung on the arm of the microbalance. 2. Experimental First, the perimeter of the fibre was determined by means of hexane, a low surface tension liquid that wets the 2 .1. Materials surface of the fibre (u 5 08). This was performed by recording one wetting cycle of immersion and emersion Carbon fibres (in the form of braid consisting of 18 (advancing–receding), which did not show any hysteresis. rovings and 1800 elementary fibres in each roving) were Then the wetting cycle was recorded with water. The rate obtained from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor (produced of displacement was 20 mm/s. The cos u was calculated from 93% acrylonitrile, 5.9% methyl methacrylate and using Eq. (1) after correction for buoyancy (F, advancing 1.1% itaconic acid; Chemical Fibres Institute, Lodz, Po- or receding force; g , surface tension of the liquid; P, l land) by thermal processing, first in air (stabilisation perimeter of the fibre): process) and then in an inert atmosphere (carbonisation process). Therefore, the samples were heated in air (heat- F 5 Pg cos u (1) l ing rate 100 8C/h) to 230 8C, maintained at this temperature for 8 h and then heated in nitrogen (heating rate 300 The surface tensions of water and hexane were checked using the platinum ring method (Kruss, Hamburg). 8C/h) to 1250 8C [11]. Six different samples of carbon fibres were prepared. All fibres were carbonised at 1250 8C (untreated, UN). One 2 .2.3. XPS analysis sample (GR) was further heat treated to 2300 8C in an inert The surface chemical composition of the carbon fibres atmosphere. A batch of UN was oxidised for 1 h with was determined by XPS, using an SSI X-Probe (SSX-100/ boiling 68% HNO (oxidised, OX) [11]. After oxidation, 206) spectrometer from Fisons, interfaced to a Hewlett- 3 fibres were washed in flowing distilled water for 3 h and Packard 9000/310 computer allowing instrument control, then dried at 105 8C. In order to increase the degree of data accumulation and data treatment. The spectrometer oxidation, OX samples, stored for about 1 year in normal used monochromatised Al K X-ray radiation (1486.6 eV). a atmosphere, were treated again in boiling 68% HNO for Since the samples were conductors, the flood-gun was 3 0.5–3 h (samples OX10.5 OX11 and OX13, respective- turned off. The pressure during the analyses was between 29 29 ly). After treatment, carbon fibres were again washed in 4.5310 and 2.4310 Torr. The irradiated zone was an distilled water for 3 h and then dried at 105 8C. The fibres elliptic spot with a shorter axis of 1000 mm. The constant were not submitted to more extensive washing in alkaline pass energy was 150 and 50 eV for wide-scan and detailed conditions or organic solutions; the aim was to characterise peak analysis, respectively. The following sequences of the materials as processed, keeping in mind that extraction spectra were recorded: wide-scan spectrum, C , O , N , 1s 1s 1s would influence the nature of the product obtained. Ca and C again to check for the absence of sample 2p 1s In order to confirm XPS spectral assignments, 0.2 g of degradation. sample OX11 was immersed in 2.5 ml of 0.1 N HCl Data treatment was performed with the ESCA 8.3 D solution in a plastic vial for 72 h at room temperature, software provided by the spectrometer manufacturer. The washed in water (purified with a Milli-Q plus system from binding energy (E ) of the main lines (C , O , N ) was b 1s 1s 1s
E. Pamua, P G. Rouxhet /Carbon 41(2003)1905-1915 determined by setting a value of 284.8 eV for the main C lemental composition component, due to carbon only bound to carbon and tal analysis of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and hydrogen. The peak area was determined using Shirley difference)of the analysed fibres was carried type non-linear background subtraction. The spectral en- a Perkin-Elmer ChN Elemental Analyser, Model elopes were decomposed using a non-linear least-square routine, assuming a Gaussian/Lorenzian(85: 15)function OIs and Ni peaks were decomposed without a priori 2. 2.6. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy constraints regarding the characteristics of the components To prepare the samples for FTIR analysis the fibres were Intensity ratios were converted into molar concentration rushed, powdered and pressed with potassium bromide to atios using the sensitivity factors proposed by the manu- form a pellet containing about 0. 2% carbon fibres. The facturer(Scofield emission cross sections, variation of the absorption spectra were recorded on a Digilab FTS 60v electron mean free path according to the 0.7 power of(Bio-Rad) Fourier transform spectrometer. The spectra kinetic energy, constant transmission function)[12] were obtained by averaging 256 scans at a resolution of 4 cm in the frequency range 400-4000 cm 2.2. 4. Acid and base uptake The concentration of acidic and basic groups 3. Results determined by titration. Distilled water was boiled prepare a NaOH solution. a known portion of carbon 3. I. Texure fibres (2.0 g) was immersed in 25 ml 0. 1 N NaOH solution in a plastic vial for 72 h at room temperature. After that Table I presents the average diameter of the fibres, time an aliquot of the liquid phase was back-titrated with obtained by optical microscopy, and their BET surface N HCI using a CP-315 pH meter (Elmetron). De- area. The surface area of UN carbon fibres was about termination of the concentration of basic groups was m /g and decreased to 0.42 m/g after heat treatment at carried out in the same manner, but carbon fibres were 2300C(GR)and to about 0.35 m /g for fibres submitted immersed in HCI solution and back-titrated with Naoh to post-treatment oxidation(OX+0.5, OX+l, OX+3) The krypton adsorption isotherm(p/po range up to 0.3) Table I Texture, water contact angle, acidity and basicity of analysed fibres BET Water contact angle 0(deg) (m2/g dvancing Receding Acidic 0.42 10.3 82.7 67.9 19.3 (0.1) (38) (5.4) 76.5 358 (2.6) Ox+0.5 72.8 44.2 (0.15) OX+I 8.8 75.0 (0. (2.1) 0.45 74.4 43.3 730 (0.13) (1.8) 7 Confidence interval in parentheses (a=0.95) is the slope of the amount of adsorbed krypton with respect to the amount adsorbed on UN at the same relative pressure Immersion in water impossible Micropore volume 0.03 cm/g From which about 20% is related to compounds which dissolved upon immersion in 0. 1 N NaOH From which about 50% is related to compounds which dissolved upon immersion in 0. I N NaOH
E. Pamula, P.G. Rouxhet / Carbon 41 (2003) 1905–1915 1907 determined by setting a value of 284.8 eV for the main C1s 2 .2.5. Elemental composition component, due to carbon only bound to carbon and Elemental analysis of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and hydrogen. The peak area was determined using Shirley- oxygen (by difference) of the analysed fibres was carried type non-linear background subtraction. The spectral en- out using a Perkin-Elmer CHN Elemental Analyser, Model velopes were decomposed using a non-linear least-square 2400. routine, assuming a Gaussian/Lorenzian (85:15) function. O and N peaks were decomposed without a priori 2 .2.6. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy 1s 1s constraints regarding the characteristics of the components. To prepare the samples for FTIR analysis the fibres were Intensity ratios were converted into molar concentration crushed, powdered and pressed with potassium bromide to ratios using the sensitivity factors proposed by the manu- form a pellet containing about 0.2% carbon fibres. The facturer (Scoffield emission cross sections, variation of the absorption spectra were recorded on a Digilab FTS 60v electron mean free path according to the 0.7 power of (Bio-Rad) Fourier transform spectrometer. The spectra kinetic energy, constant transmission function) [12]. were obtained by averaging 256 scans at a resolution of 4 21 21 cm in the frequency range 400–4000 cm . 2 .2.4. Acid and base uptake The concentration of acidic and basic groups was 3. Results determined by titration. Distilled water was boiled to prepare a NaOH solution. A known portion of carbon 3 .1. Texture fibres (2.0 g) was immersed in 25 ml 0.1 N NaOH solution in a plastic vial for 72 h at room temperature. After that Table 1 presents the average diameter of the fibres, time an aliquot of the liquid phase was back-titrated with obtained by optical microscopy, and their BET surface 0.1 N HCl using a CP-315 pH meter (Elmetron). De- area. The surface area of UN carbon fibres was about 1 2 2 termination of the concentration of basic groups was m /g and decreased to 0.42 m /g after heat treatment at 2 carried out in the same manner, but carbon fibres were 2300 8C (GR) and to about 0.35 m /g for fibres submitted immersed in HCl solution and back-titrated with NaOH to post-treatment oxidation (OX10.5, OX11, OX13). solution. The krypton adsorption isotherm ( p/p range up to 0.3) 0 T able 1 Texture, water contact angle, acidity and basicity of analysed fibres a bc Sample Diameter BET a Water contact angle , Chemical UN (mm) surface u (deg) functions a area (meg/g) 2 Advancing Receding (m /g) Acidic Basic d d GR 7.6 0.42 0.48 – – 1.1 10.3 (0.1) (0.03) UN 8.1 1.06 1 82.7 67.9 9.9 19.3 (0.1) (0.02) (3.8) (5.4) e e f OX 8.5 – – 76.5 53.0 358 225 (0.1) (2.5) (2.6) OX10.5 8.7 0.35 0.39 72.8 44.2 936 392 (0.15) (0.04) (1.7) (2.7) OX11 8.8 0.35 0.40 75.0 45.2 1200 508 (0.19) (0.04) (2.6) (2.1) g OX13 7.6 0.39 0.45 74.4 43.3 1430 730 (0.13) (0.04) (1.8) (1.7) a Confidence interval in parentheses (a 5 0.95). b a is the slope of the amount of adsorbed krypton with respect to the amount adsorbed on UN at the same relative pressure. UN c Standard deviation in parentheses (n53). d Immersion in water impossible. e 3 Micropore volume 0.03 cm /g. f From which about 20% is related to compounds which dissolved upon immersion in 0.1 N NaOH. g From which about 50% is related to compounds which dissolved upon immersion in 0.1 N NaOH
E. Pamua, P G. Rouxhet /Carbon 41(2003)1905-1915 of sample OX was different from those of other samples that the total peak area is proportional to the mole fraction Therefore, all isotherms were compared with that of un by of oxygen in each sample. In the literature the oxygen peak a method analogous to the I plot (de Boer) or a plot of carbon materials is frequently decomposed into two (Singh)[13]: the adsorbed amount for a given sample was components: one in the range 531. 2-532.6 eV, attributed to plotted as a function of the amount adsorbed by un at the oxygen doubly bound to carbon, and the second in the same relative pressure. All plots, except that of oX, passed range 532.8-533. 1 ev, attributed to oxygen singly bound to through the origin; the slopes obtained are given in Table 1 carbon [15, 18, 19]. Fig. 2 shows that three peaks must be and their variation fits the variation of the BET surface taken into consideration for the set of spectra of the area. For OX, the intercept was about 0.17 mmol Kr/g, materials investigated here. These three components are revealing a microporosity of about 0.03 cm/g(taking into found at ( 1)531. 2,(11)532.6 and ( iii)533.8 ev and may be account the density of Kr at 77K)[14]. It thus appears that assigned, respectively, on the basis of data for carbon oxidation of the carbon fibres created microporosity, which materials, polymers and organic salts, as follows: (i) could no longer be observed after oxidation post-treatment. carboxylate(Co0)[12 and oxygen doubly bound to carbon( o=C-o)in carboxylic acids and esters [12, 20, 21] 3.2. Wetting properties 1i)oxygen of phenol, alcohol, aliphatic ether [21-23] and ketone functions [24];(iii) oxygen of aryl ethers p-o-p The results of dynamic contact angle measurements are [12, 21 and oxygen singly bound to carbon in carboxylic also presented in Table 1. Advancing and receding contact acids and esters (o-C-o)[12, 20, 21]. The additional angles decreased according to the sequence untreated- oxidation considerably changed the shape of the O,s peak oxidised-submitted to oxidation post-treatment, indicating by increasing the component at 531 2 eV, subsequent acid that the carbon fibre surface became more hydrophilic incubation(sample OX+I soaked in HCD)restored ap- upon oxidation. The wetting properties were not signifi proximate equal intensity for the components at 531.2 and cantly influenced by the duration of the second oxidation. 533. 8 ev(Table 2) On the other hand. the 2300 oc treatment caused an Fig. 2 shows representative Nis peaks, the total peak increase in surface hydrophobicity; this was such that the area is also proportional to the mole fraction of nitrogen GR fibre could not be immersed in water, while it was well for each sample. The Nis peak is decomposed into three netted by hexar nponents: a peak at 398.4 eV attributed moieties [25, 26], the main peak at 400-401 eV containing 3.3. XPS analysis a contribution from quaternary or protonated nitrogen [12, 26, 27] and a peak at 4055 ev due to oxidised forms of e. Table 2 presents the carbon, oxygen and nitrogen nitrogen(NO, )[25-28] ernal surface concentrations of the analysed fibres. For After moderate oxidation in nitric acid(OX) the shape UN, GR and oX these were the only elements detected by of the O,s peak did not change significantly, a new peak XPS. The post-treated fibres(OX+0.5, OX+1, oX+3) due to-NO2 species appeared at 405.5 ev and the main gave a Ca/(C+O+N) molar ratio of 0.016-0.019 nitrogen peak shifted from 401.0 to 400.6 eV. After an After oxidation, the CIs peak shows the presence of additional oxidation(samples OX+0.5, OX+ I and OX+ components assigned to oxygenated chemical functions, 3)the component at 398.4 ev, attributed to pyridine already described in the literature [3, 15-17. Fig. I shows groups, disappeared, the main nitrogen peak further shifted epresentative O,s peaks, the ordinate scale is adjusted to 400.0 ev without variation of the associated nitrogen Surface composition determined by XPS [mol/100 mol(C+O+N)J Binding energy (ev): 531.2 532.6 533.8 398.4 400-401 405.0 Csot O,et Not Ca DC-OH 0=C-OH NO, ①O BDL 97.3 2.7 BDLBDL 224 BDL 80.915.6 3.5 BDL 0x+0.5 4.9 BDL 2.8 OX+I 11.3 BDL 2.7 0.6 1.6 72.823.9 OX+1+HCI 7.8 7.9 6.1 BDL 2.8 0.6 74.821.834 BDL Pyridine-type nitrogen See discussion
1908 E. Pamula, P.G. Rouxhet / Carbon 41 (2003) 1905–1915 of sample OX was different from those of other samples. that the total peak area is proportional to the mole fraction Therefore, all isotherms were compared with that of UN by of oxygen in each sample. In the literature the oxygen peak a method analogous to the t plot (de Boer) or a plot of carbon materials is frequently decomposed into two (Singh) [13]: the adsorbed amount for a given sample was components: one in the range 531.2–532.6 eV, attributed to plotted as a function of the amount adsorbed by UN at the oxygen doubly bound to carbon, and the second in the same relative pressure. All plots, except that of OX, passed range 532.8–533.1 eV, attributed to oxygen singly bound to through the origin; the slopes obtained are given in Table 1 carbon [15,18,19]. Fig. 2 shows that three peaks must be and their variation fits the variation of the BET surface taken into consideration for the set of spectra of the area. For OX, the intercept was about 0.17 mmol Kr/g, materials investigated here. These three components are 3 revealing a microporosity of about 0.03 cm /g (taking into found at (i) 531.2, (ii) 532.6 and (iii) 533.8 eV and may be account the density of Kr at 77 K) [14]. It thus appears that assigned, respectively, on the basis of data for carbon oxidation of the carbon fibres created microporosity, which materials, polymers and organic salts, as follows: (i) 2 could no longer be observed after oxidation post-treatment. carboxylate (COO ) [12] and oxygen doubly bound to ] carbon (O=C–O) in carboxylic acids and esters [12,20,21]; ] 3 .2. Wetting properties (ii) oxygen of phenol, alcohol, aliphatic ether [21–23] and ketone functions [24]; (iii) oxygen of aryl ethers F–O–F ] The results of dynamic contact angle measurements are [12,21] and oxygen singly bound to carbon in carboxylic also presented in Table 1. Advancing and receding contact acids and esters (O=C–O) [12,20,21]. The additional ] angles decreased according to the sequence untreated– oxidation considerably changed the shape of the O peak 1s oxidised–submitted to oxidation post-treatment, indicating by increasing the component at 531.2 eV; subsequent acid that the carbon fibre surface became more hydrophilic incubation (sample OX11 soaked in HCl) restored apupon oxidation. The wetting properties were not signifi- proximate equal intensity for the components at 531.2 and cantly influenced by the duration of the second oxidation. 533.8 eV (Table 2). On the other hand, the 2300 8C treatment caused an Fig. 2 shows representative N peaks; the total peak 1s increase in surface hydrophobicity; this was such that the area is also proportional to the mole fraction of nitrogen GR fibre could not be immersed in water, while it was well for each sample. The N peak is decomposed into three 1s wetted by hexane. components: a peak at 398.4 eV attributed to pyridine moieties [25,26], the main peak at 400–401 eV containing 3 .3. XPS analysis a contribution from quaternary or protonated nitrogen [12,26,27] and a peak at 405.5 eV due to oxidised forms of Table 2 presents the carbon, oxygen and nitrogen nitrogen (–NO ) [25–28]. ] 2 external surface concentrations of the analysed fibres. For After moderate oxidation in nitric acid (OX) the shape UN, GR and OX these were the only elements detected by of the O peak did not change significantly; a new peak 1s XPS. The post-treated fibres (OX10.5, OX11, OX13) due to –NO species appeared at 405.5 eV and the main 2 gave a Ca/(C1O1N) molar ratio of 0.016–0.019. nitrogen peak shifted from 401.0 to 400.6 eV. After an After oxidation, the C peak shows the presence of additional oxidation (samples OX 1s 10.5, OX11 and OX1 components assigned to oxygenated chemical functions, as 3) the component at 398.4 eV, attributed to pyridine already described in the literature [3,15–17]. Fig. 1 shows groups, disappeared, the main nitrogen peak further shifted representative O peaks; the ordinate scale is adjusted so to 400.0 eV without variation of the associated nitrogen 1s T able 2 Surface composition determined by XPS [mol/100 mol (C1O1N)] Binding energy (eV): 531.2 532.6 533.8 398.4 400–401 405.0 C O N Ca tot tot tot a b Assignment: O] ]] ] =C–OH C–OH O=C–OH N N –NO2 2 COO O=C F–O–F ] ] ] GR BDL 1.8 0.9 BDL BDL BDL 97.3 2.7 BDL BDL UN 2.0 5.1 2.1 0.6 2.6 BDL 87.6 9.2 3.2 BDL OX 3.9 9.6 2.1 0.5 2.7 0.3 80.9 15.6 3.5 BDL OX10.5 11.0 4.9 4.7 BDL 2.8 0.9 75.7 20.6 3.7 1.6 OX11 11.3 5.9 4.4 BDL 2.7 0.6 75.1 21.6 3.3 1.8 OX13 12.7 5.7 5.5 BDL 2.7 0.6 72.8 23.9 3.3 1.9 OX111HCl 7.8 7.9 6.1 BDL 2.8 0.6 74.8 21.8 3.4 BDL BDL, below detection limit. a Pyridine-type nitrogen. b See Discussion
E. Pamua, P G. Rouxhet /Carbon 41(2003)1905-1915 GR GR A OX 408406404402400398396 Binding Fig. 2. Nis XPS spectra of carbon fibres: untreated (UN), oxidised with nitric acid(OX), submitted to post-treatment with nitric acid 532 adjusted so that the peak area is proportional to the nitrogen mole ng energy(e fraction Fig. 1. O XPS spectra of carbon fibres: untreated (UN), oxidised th nitric acid(OX), submitted to post-treatment with nitric acid in an increase of acidic groups up to about 1. 4 meq/g, and for I h(OX+1), and heat treated to 2300C(GR). Ordinate scale of basic groups up to about 0.7 meq/g. The immersion of djusted so that the peak area is proportional to the oxygen mole OX and post-treated fibres in Naoh led to a yellow and fraction. black solution colour, respectively. Back-titration of the latter with HCI clearly shows two steps: the first step at pH 7-8 allowed computation of the total acidity of the starting concentration and the intensity of the peak assigne material, while the second step, near pH 4, was attributed to back-titration of dissolved species. The latter represent about 20 and 50% of the total acidity of OX and OX+3, 3.4. Acidic and basic groups Table I presents the concentration of acidic and basic 3.5. Elemental composition groups determined by NaoH and HCl uptake, respectively expressed in ueq/g. The concentration of acidic groups for Table 3 presents the elemental composition of the UN carbon fibres was of the order of 10 ueq/g and that of analysed samples expressed in wt% and in mole fraction of basic groups was about twice that. Heating UN fibres at C,O and n with respect to C+O+N(for comparison with 2300C(GR) produced a decrease of both basic and acidic XPS data, Table 2). Due to treatment with nitric acid, the groups, the amount of the latter being close to the concentration of oxygen and hydrogen increased, while quantification limit. Prolonged chemical treatment resulted only a slight increase of nitrogen was observed. On the
E. Pamula, P.G. Rouxhet / Carbon 41 (2003) 1905–1915 1909 Fig. 2. N XPS spectra of carbon fibres: untreated (UN), oxidised 1s with nitric acid (OX), submitted to post-treatment with nitric acid for 1 h (OX11), and heat treated to 2300 8C (GR). Ordinate scale adjusted so that the peak area is proportional to the nitrogen mole fraction. Fig. 1. O XPS spectra of carbon fibres: untreated (UN), oxidised 1s in an increase of acidic groups up to about 1.4 meq/g, and with nitric acid (OX), submitted to post-treatment with nitric acid of basic groups up to about 0.7 meq/g. The immersion of for 1 h (OX11), and heat treated to 2300 8C (GR). Ordinate scale adjusted so that the peak area is proportional to the oxygen mole OX and post-treated fibres in NaOH led to a yellow and fraction. black solution colour, respectively. Back-titration of the latter with HCl clearly shows two steps: the first step at pH 7–8 allowed computation of the total acidity of the starting concentration and the intensity of the peak assigned to material, while the second step, near pH 4, was attributed –NO species increased. to back-titration of dissolved species. The latter represents 2 about 20 and 50% of the total acidity of OX and OX13, 3 .4. Acidic and basic groups respectively. Table 1 presents the concentration of acidic and basic 3 .5. Elemental composition groups determined by NaOH and HCl uptake, respectively, expressed in meq/g. The concentration of acidic groups for Table 3 presents the elemental composition of the UN carbon fibres was of the order of 10 meq/g and that of analysed samples expressed in wt% and in mole fraction of basic groups was about twice that. Heating UN fibres at C, O and N with respect to C1O1N (for comparison with 2300 8C (GR) produced a decrease of both basic and acidic XPS data, Table 2). Due to treatment with nitric acid, the groups, the amount of the latter being close to the concentration of oxygen and hydrogen increased, while quantification limit. Prolonged chemical treatment resulted only a slight increase of nitrogen was observed. On the