3 - Carbon fiber spinning

Abstract

Activated carbon fiber (ACF) is one of the most important porous carbons from the perspective of adsorption applications. ACF can be commercially manufactured from synthetic carbon fiber by providing an additional activation process. Considering environmental impacts, various recent studies have been performed related to developing ACF production from biomass. In this chapter, a brief overview is provided for the spinning methods used to produce precursor fibers and the following post-spinning treatments. The spinning methods are discussed for polyacrylonitrile, pitch, phenolic resin, rayon, and lignin. For the success of pyrolysis processes, it is necessary to introduce post-spinning treatments, such as modification through coating, impregnation with chemicals, and drawing/stretching with a plasticizer. Finally, a short introduction to oxidative stabilization, carbonization, and graphitization processes is provided to show the whole procedure of ACF production.