Preparation and microstructure of hollow mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers

Abstract

Hollow mesophase pitch fibers with rather thin diameter were successfully prepared by spinning through a C-shaped capillary. Die-swell was found to be the main factor affecting the formation of hollow fiber, and this was controlled by varying the spinning temperature. After carbonization at 1000°C, the hollow fibers possess a relatively small outer diameter of 21 μm and an inner diameter of 6 μm, and show better mechanical properties than solid fibers with similar outer diameter. The higher mechanical properties are attributed to the orientation of mesophase molecules which is related to the shape and dimension of the spinneret. The transverse microstructure of hollow carbon fibers is illustrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations on fracture sections.