Bio-based macromolecules provide a sustainable and renewable resource for carbon precursors. Prior literature studies on carbon fibers produced from lignin, an abundant biomass, have employed melt-spinning routes using hardwood lignin as the carbon fiber precursor, due to its lower reactivity (relative to softwood lignin). In the present study, we demonstrate an alternative chemical modification route for a commercial softwood kraft lignin (SKL, Indulin AT). SKL with a low extent of acetylation was solution-spun and successfully thermo-oxidatively stabilized. Both stabilization and carbonization reactions were performed under tension in an attempt to retain molecular orientation within the fibers. Carbon fibers were successfully produced at heat treatment temperatures of 1000 and 2400�C. The fibers were investigated by WAXD and Raman spectroscopy, and show mostly non-graphitic microstructure. The carbon fibers could be produced with diameters as little as about 15 �m due to the solution-spinning route, which also imparted a crenulated surface to carbonfibers. This enhanced surface area has the potential of improving interfacial bonding between such fibers and polymer matrices.

Acetylated-lignin as a biopolymer precursor for carbon fibers

245th National Meeting (2013)

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