Characterization of Carbon Microstructure by Electrochemical Oxidation

Abstract

The authors investigated the surface morphological change in mesophase-pitch carbon fibers microelectrode by the electrochemical oxidation in basic aqueous electrolyte. The scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observation of the carbon fiber consisting of optically anisotropic and isotropic parts revealed preferentially oxidative corrosion of the anisotropic domain to form pores on the electrode surface. The electrochemically oxidized anisotropic carbon fiber such as onion or radial type clearly showed the micro-structure derived from the orientation of the accumulated hexagonal carbon planes. Therefore, the electrochemical oxidation method can be considered as an effective technique for understanding the micro-structure of carbon materials, which is industrially important for mechanical and electrochemical properties.