Poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) is the most commonly utilized precursor for the production of high-strength carbon fiber. The high production costs of PAN precursor fibers are the direct result of the current accepted solution-spinning technology and the energy required to coagulate and remove the solvent during production. Melt spinning is an advantageous option for processing PAN into fibers to reduce hazards and high production costs. However, the main obstacle preventing melt spinning production is the strong dipole-dipole interaction between nitrile groups within PAN. This interaction results in polymer degradation before polymer melting. To counter-act the inherent nature of PAN crosslinking, we have paired PAN with a variety of nitrile-rich imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) to create processable stable composite melts. The ILs act as an external plasticizer lowering the glass transition temperature, melting temperature, and viscosity of PAN allowing PAN to be melt processed. Using task-specific ionic liquids has led us to the development of a novel plasticized melt spinning process for PAN precursor fibers. We have focused on determining the impact of the IL molecular structure, nitrile content, and counter anion on PAN fiber formation. These results have the potential to enhance production efficiencies and improve the overall structural properties of PAN fibers.

Plasticized melt spinning process for PAN fibers based on task-specific ionic liquids

2019 Fall National Meeting

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