Abstract: Micro-coiled carbon fibers were prepared by a catalytic chemical vapor deposition method, and treated in an argon atmosphere at 2500℃. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Raman spectroscope and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were performed to characterize morphologies and microstructures of the non-graphitizated and graphitizated micro-coiled carbon fibers, and graphitization mechanism was discussed preliminarily. The results reveal that micro-coiled carbon fibers are purified prominently, morphologies of micro-coiled carbon fibers is similiar to the original fibers, and microstructures of micro-coiled carbon fibers are more regular after the graphitization treatment. The interlayer spacing d₀₀₂ (0.3626--0.3378nm) decreases,
graphitization degree, L_c, mean size of crystal in the c-direction(1.6404--3.8590nm) and L_a, mean size of crystal in the a-direction(2.04--7.21nm) increase.

Key words: micro-coiled carbon fiber, graphitization, morphology, microstructure