Cellulosic substrates were used as precursors for short carbon fibers already in the 19<sup>th</sup> century by Thomas A. Edison and Joseph W. Swan. However, various intrinsic properties of carbohydrates have so far prevented large-scale production and commercial success. At present, carbon fibers are almost exclusively made from PAN- or pitch-based precursor fibers.<br/>As the importance of sustainable production of consumer goods is recognized by end-users and decision makers alike, the use of renewable raw material is experiencing a renaissance. Cellulose is revisited as precursor for continuous carbon fibers for reinforcing purposes. Secondary biopolymers have the potential to mitigate the limitations of cellulose by increasing the carbon yield and promote the formation of a turbostratic carbon structure. However, current commercial spinning technologies are mostly restricted to carbohydrates and can process only few other biopolymers. Ionic liquids (ILs) can overcome these limitations. They are powerful solvents for a wide spectrum of polymeric and inorganic materials. Thus, filaments with a homogeneous multi-component matrix can be prepared. Moreover, the Lyocell-type spinning enabled by ionic liquids yields filaments with a pronounced molecular orientation parallel to the filament axis. This highly ordered structure is a distinct asset for the formation of an ordered carbon structure.<br/>Herein, we report the carbonization of multi-biopolymer composite filaments prepared through dissolution and spinning with superbase-based ILs. The structure of the hybrid precursor fibers was analyzed and interactions between the biopolymers were observed upon thermal treatment. Carbon fibers were prepared both in stationary ovens and by means of a carbon fiber line with different heating zones.

Potential of cellulose as precursor for carbon fibers when mixed with other biopolymers

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.