Abstract: Since there are less active functional groups on the surface of carbon fiber, it is difficult for carbon fiber to be compatible with polar polymers. Based on surface treatment, the carbon fiber can be grafted with functional groups, such as short chain, long chain and polymers, which can change the specific surface area and the suface polarity of carbon fiber, and increase the compatibility of the matrix, thereby expanding the application scope of carbon fiber. This paper reviewed the development of carbon fiber modification methods both at home and abroad over the past few years, and compared the effect of different modification methods such as chemical grafting method, electrochemical method, coating method, surface oxidation method and plasma modification method on the interfacial strengthen of carbon fiber reinforced composites, and stated that the surface roughness of carbon fiber can be improved by the method of chemical grafting.

Key words: carbon fiber; surface modification; coating method; chemical grafting method; electrochemical method