Fluorine-intercalated carbon fibers: II: An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study

The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of fluorine-intercalated carbon fibers has shown the formation of semi-ionic bonding between carbon and intercalated fluorine species, leading to an increase in the positive charge on the involved carbon atoms and a subsequent increase in C 1s binding energy. Covalent CF bonding is present at the external surface of the fibers. The relative amounts of these species are dependent on the intercalation rate and on the nature of the host fibers: polyacrylonitrile or pitch based, either as received or high temperature treated.