Surface Functionalization of Silver-Coated Aramid Fiber

Silver nanoparticles are deposited on aramid fiber surfaces by a three-step process. Calcium chloride/ethanol coarsening of the aramid fiber is followed by surface functionalization with poly(dopamine) and electroless silver plating. The chemical structure and elemental composition of the aramid fibers are determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, respectively. The surface morphology of the modified aramid fibers is investigated by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The crystalline structure and thermal stability of the modified aramid fibers before and after silver plating are analyzed by X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses. A four-point probe is used to determine the electrical resistivity of the silver-plated aramid fibers. The results show that after the silver plating of the aramid fiber surface, its electrical resistance was reduced. At 20 g/L AgNO₃, the silver layer on the aramid fiber surface is stable and durable with a high electrical resistivity.