Electrochemical oxidative modification of nanocarbon materials in aqueous electrolyte solutions

The effect exerted by electrochemical oxidative modification of carbon nanofibers and nanotubes by anodic and successive cathodic and anodic polarization in aqueous solutions of electrolytes H₂SO₄, CH₃COONH₄, HNO₃, (NH₄)₂SO₄, [H₂SO₄ + (NH₄)₂SO₄] on the structure and morphology of the fibers constituting the nanomaterials, on the composition of surface groups, on the stationary electrode potential of carbon nanofibers, and on properties of epoxy–carbon composites was studied. The results of the electrochemical modification were compared to the results of chemical modification of carbon nanofibers in a 6.0 M HNO₃ solution and of carbon nanotubes in a mixture of concentrated acids H₂SO₄ + HNO₃.