• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.221-232
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• 2009

The allylamine plasma treatment is used to modify the surface properties of vapor grown carbon fibers (VGCF). It is to improve the interfacial bonding between the VGCF and epoxy matrix. The allylamine plasma process was performed by batch process in a vacuum chamber, using gas injection followed by plasma discharge for the durations of 20, 40 and 60 min. The interdependence of mechanical properties on the VGCF contents, treatment time and interfacial bonding between VGCF/ep was investigated. The interfacial bonding between VGCF and epoxy matrix was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of nanocomposites fracture surfaces. The changes in the mechanical properties of VGCF/ep, such as the tensile modulus and strength were discussed. The mechanical properties of allylamine plasma treated (AAPT) VGCF/ep were compared with those of raw VGCF/ep. The tensile strength and modulus of allyamine plasma treated VGCF40 (40 min treatment)/ep demonstrated a higher value than those of other samples. The mechanical properties were increased with the allyamine plasma treatment due to the improved adhesion at VGCF/ep interface. The modification of the carbon nanofibers surface was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). SEM micrographs showed an excellent dispersion of VGCF in epoxy matrix by ultrasonic method.

• Carbon letters
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.243-247
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• 2005

Plasma polymerization of allylamine subsequently after plasma pre-treatment was conducted on the activated carbon fibers (ACFs) for the immobilization of amine groups in the surface of ACFs. The change of structural properties of ACFs with respect to different polymerization conditions was investigated through BET method. The change of surface morphologies of ACFs with respect to different plasma polymerization power was also studied through AFM. It was found that the structural properties such as specific surface area and micropore volume could be optimized under certain plasma deposition conditions. It was reckoned that treatment and deposition showed adverse effect on plasma polymerization, in which the former developed the micro-structures of the ACFs and the latter tended to block the micro pores. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that the poly(allylamine) was successfully immobilized on the surface of ACFs and the amount of the deposited polymer layer was related to the plasma polymerization power. SEM results showed that the plasma deposited polymer layer were small and homogenously distributed. The size and the distribution of particles deposited were closely related to the plasma polymerization power, too.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2001

Silica for Epoxy Molding Compound (EMC) was coated via plasma-polymerization with RF plasma (13.56 MHz) as a function of treatment time, power and pressure. 1,3-diaminopropane, allylamine, pyrrole, 1,2-epoxy-5-hexene, allylmercaptan or allylalcohol were utilized for plasma polymerization coating and adhesion of coated silica was evaluated by measuring flexural strength. CTE and water absorption of EMC were also measured, and fracture surface of flexural specimen was analyzed by SEM in order to elucidate the failure mode. The plasma polymer coated silica was analyzed by FT-IR and reactivity of plasma polymer coating with epoxy resin was evaluated with DSC in order to investigate the adhesion mechanism. The EMC prepared from the silica coated with 1,3-diaminopropane or allylamine exhibited high flexural strength, low CTE, and low water absorption compared with the control sample, and also exhibited 100% cohesive failure mode. These results can be attributed to the chemical reaction between the functional groups in the plasma polymer coating and epoxy resin, and also consistent with the results from FT-IR and DSC analysis.