Hydrogen content evaluation in Vapour-grown carbon fibres by SIMS Original Research Article

An analysis of hydrogen in Vapour-grown carbon fibres by secondary ions mass spectrometry (SIMS) technique allows recognition of the main role of hydrogen in the graphitizing process and mechanical properties. It is known that VGCF have a duplex structure, consisting on an inner core and an outer coating. From our SIMS analysis, it is proven that the hydrogen content of the core is greater than in the coating. It is also known that the strength of a-C:H materials increases with the hydrogen content. So, the duplex structure of vapour-grown carbon fibres is really a hard and strong core with a sheath of softer carbonaceous material.