In this article, dodecyl ether carboxylate (AECNa) was prepared by dodecanol polyoxyethylene, sodium chloroacetate, and sodium hydroxide and employed as a treatment agent for PAN-based carbon fiber (CF) surface. The results show that the optimum adsorption amount of AECNa modifying CF was determined to be 4.0 mg/g. In addition, the equivalent variation regularity is obtained the CF surface charge properties and its dispersion behavior. The optimal dispersion effect of the short CFs in epoxy matrix is achieved when the surface charges reach the maximum by quantitative measurement using Faraday cup; the surface morphology and wettability are improved depending on the field emission scanning electron microscopy, Thermogravimetry, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and monofilament contact angle testing. Furthermore, the flexural strength and modulus of the treated CF composite were proven to advance by flexural tests.