Effect of catalytic graphitization on the electric heating performance of electroless nickel-coated carbon fibers

Graphite possesses several desirable properties, which facilitate its applications in several materials. However, the applications of graphitic materials depend on the extent of graphitization. Generally, the heat treatment of carbon is carried out at temperatures above 3000 °C. However, in this study, the catalytic graphitization of carbon fiber (CF) with an electroless Ni–P coating was studied at low temperature. The surface morphology and structural, thermal, and electrical properties of CF with and without electroless Ni–P coating were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, infrared thermal imaging, and four-probe volume resistivity testing. The results showed that the catalytic graphitization of CF considerably improved at relatively low temperatures when a Ni–P coating was present. Moreover, when the average P content was 15.88 wt%, the degree of catalytic graphitization of Ni–P-coated CF markedly increased with heat treatment at 600 °C.