This work presents a simple and eco-friendly process to dramatically simplify both precursor and carbon fiber synthesis from lignocellulose. For this, microfibers are first fabricated from aqueous mixture of lignin (up to 70 <i>wt</i>%) and cellulose nanofibrils by wet-spinning. The thermo-mechanical performance of the obtained TOCNF/lignin microfibers is investigated. After direct carbonization of the TOCNF/lignin microfibers, carbon microfibers (CMF) are obtained at high yields. A remarkably high mass yield is determined upon carbonization, up to 41% at lignin loadings of 70% in the precursor. No oxidation or thermal stabilization steps were applied but the morphology, strength and flexibility of the CMF are retained, at least to a large degree, compared to the respective precursors. All of the obtained CMF are highly electrical conductive. The conductivity of the CMF reach values as high as 103 S cm<sup>-1</sup>, one of the highest reported so far for carbon materials, in any form, derived from lignocelluloses.

Highly conductive carbon microfibers following low temperature carbonization of wet-spun lignin/nanocellulose hydrogels

2019 Spring National Meeting

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