Preparation of electrically conductive polyimide/silver composite fibers via in-situ surface treatment

Polyimide (PI)/silver composite fibers with high electrical conductivity were prepared via an in-situ surface treatment method. The following procedures were included: hydrolyzing the PI fibers in alkali solution, followed by silver ion loading through ion exchange in silver salt solution and finally reducing the silver ion-loaded PI fibers in ascorbic acid solution. The effects of alkali treatment and ion-exchange conditions on the surface morphology, electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of the final composite fibers were studied. Excellent surface electrical conductivity was achieved on PI fiber surface with an electrical resistance of about 102 Ω/cm. The mechanical properties of the PI composite fibers were essentially similar to those of the bare PI fiber.