Close Packing of Cellulose and Chitosan in Regenerated Cellulose Fibers Improves Carbon Yield and Structural Properties of Respective Carbon Fibers.

Hilda Zahra,Herbert Sixta,Daisuke Sawada,Shogo Kumagai,Toshiaki Yoshioka,Chamseddine Guizani,Yibo Ma,Michael Hummel

doi:10.1021/acs.biomac.0c01117

Hilda Zahra, Herbert Sixta + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.0c01117

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Journal: Biomacromolecules	Publication Date: Sep 1, 2020
Citations: 30	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Aalto University, Tohoku University

Abstract

A low carbon yield is a major limitation for the use of cellulose-based filaments as carbon fiber precursors. The present study aims to investigate the use of an abundant biopolymer chitosan as a natural charring agent particularly on enhancing the carbon yield of the cellulose-derived carbon fiber. The ionic liquid 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-enium acetate ([DBNH]OAc) was used for direct dissolution of cellulose and chitosan and to spin cellulose–chitosan composite fibers through a dry-jet wet spinning process (Ioncell). The homogenous distribution and tight packing of cellulose and chitosan revealed by X-ray scattering experiments enable a synergistic interaction between the two polymers during the pyrolysis reaction, resulting in a substantial increase of the carbon yield and preservation of mechanical properties of cellulose fiber compared to other cobiopolymers such as lignin and xylan.

Highlights

Carbon fibers (CFs) offer a superior strength-to-weight ratio and rigidity, excellent creep resistance, and good thermal and electrical conductivities.[1]
PAN and pitch can produce exceptionally superior carbon fibers for high-end products, the main drawback of PAN- and pitch-based CFs is the high cost of their precursor material, which is connected to the fluctuating oil price
This study provides a first assessment whether chitosan, the second most abundant biopolymer after cellulose, is suitable as a natural charring agent to improve the yield and properties of cellulose-derived carbon fiber

Summary

Introduction

Carbon fibers (CFs) offer a superior strength-to-weight ratio and rigidity, excellent creep resistance, and good thermal and electrical conductivities.[1]. PAN and pitch can produce exceptionally superior carbon fibers for high-end products, the main drawback of PAN- and pitch-based CFs is the high cost of their precursor material, which is connected to the fluctuating oil price. The slow and expensive carbonization adds further to the final price.[3] This cost structure hampers further the widespread use of CFs in the large-volume lowprice market segments. Amongst other reasons, this has led to a renaissance of potentially inexpensive and renewable biopolymer-based filaments as a precursor material for CFs

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