Chemically Accelerated Stabilization of a Cellulose-Lignin Precursor as a Route to High Yield Carbon Fiber Production.

The production of carbon fiber from bio-based or renewable resources has gained considerable attention in recent years with much of the focus upon cellulose, lignin, and cellulose-lignin composite precursor fibers. A critical step in optimizing the manufacture of carbon fiber is the stabilization process, through which the chemical and physical structure of the precursor fiber is transformed, allowing it to withstand very high temperatures. In this work, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is used to explore and optimize stabilization by simulating different stabilization profiles.

Cellulose-lignin composite fibres as precursors for carbon fibres. Part 1 - Manufacturing and properties of precursor fibres.

Cellulose-lignin composite fibres were spun from ionic liquid (IL) solutions by dry-jet wet spinning. Birch pre-hydrolysed Kraft (PHK) pulp and organosolv beech (BL) or spruce lignin (SL) were dissolved in the IL 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.

Cellulose-lignin composite fibers as precursors for carbon fibers: Part 2 - The impact of precursor properties on carbon fibers.

Carbon fibers, despite being responsible lightweight structures that improve sustainability through fuel efficiency and occupational safety, remain largely derived from fossil fuels. Alternative precursors such as cellulose and lignin (bio-derived and low cost) are rapidly gaining attention as replacements for polyacrylonitrile (PAN, an oil-based and costly precursor). This study uses a cellulose-lignin composite fiber, to elucidate the influence of precursor fabrication parameters (draw ratio and lignin content) on the efficiency of stabilization and carbonization, from the perspective of the chemical, morphological and mechanical changes.