Electrografting of 3-methyl thiophene and carbazole random copolymer onto carbon fiber: characterization by FTIR-ATR, SEM, EDX

Electrografting of poly(3-methylthiophene-co-carbazole) onto high tenacity (TENAX HTA 5000) carbon fiber was carried out under preparative constant-current electrolysis conditions by electropolymerizing in non-aqueous media. The surface morphology of the electrografted carbon fibers was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For characterization of the chemical composition of the random copolymer, FTIR reflectance measurements (FTIR-ATR) were performed. The efficiency of the electrocopolymerization on carbon fiber surfaces under preparative constant-current electrolysis conditions as a function of the experimental conditions was evaluated (effect on thickness and morphology).