Preparation of Cellulose-Derived Carbon Fibers Using a New Reduced-Pressure Stabilization Method
Marc P. Vocht, Antje Ota, Erik Frank, Frank Hermanutz, Michael R. Buchmeiser
Abstract
We present a new continuous stabilization process for cellulose-derived carbon fibers (CFs) with mechanical properties rivaling those of polyacrylonitrile-derived CFs. The novel process enables optimum control over the stabilization process. The effects of process temperature and dwell time on the structure and mechanical properties of the stabilized fibers were investigated by elemental analysis, wide-angle X-ray scattering, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and tensile testing. Laboratory-scale carbonization trials of the stabilized fibers were accomplished in a continuous process at 1400 °C. Received CFs had tensile strengths up to 2.8 GPa and Young’s moduli up to 112 GPa. By adjusting the stabilization conditions, the mechanical properties of the resulting CFs can be tuned.