Graphitization of polyacrylonitrile carbon fibers and graphite irradiated by γ rays

To investigate the effect of gamma-ray radiation on the microstructure of carbon fibers (CF) and graphite, the carbon fibers and graphite were irradiated by (60)Co source at room temperature. X-ray diffraction results indicate that the interlayer spacing d(002) of CF and graphite decreased after irradiation. The intensity of (002) peak in CF decreased while the peak of the (002) plane in graphite becomes sharper after irradiation. Scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy determines that gamma-ray irradiation slightly improves the carbon content of CF surface layer. Compton scattering effect and heating caused by gamma-ray are proposed to be responsible for the graphitization of CF and graphite. Crown Copyright (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.