Molecular weight and uniformity define the mechanical performance of lignin-based carbon fiber

Li, Qiang; Serem, Wilson K.; Dai, Wei; Yue, Yuan; Naik, Mandar T.; Xie, Shangxian; Karki, Pravat; Liu, Li; Sue, Hung-Jue; Liang, Hong; Zhou, Fujie; Yuan, Joshua S.

doi:10.1039/C7TA01187C

Molecular weight and uniformity define the mechanical performance of lignin-based carbon fiber

Journal Article · Tue May 30 20:00:00 EDT 2017 · Journal of Materials Chemistry. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/C7TA01187C· OSTI ID:3012079

^[1]; Serem, Wilson K. ^[1]; Dai, Wei ^[1]; Yue, Yuan ^[1]; Naik, Mandar T. ^[1]; Xie, Shangxian ^[1]; ^[1]; Liu, Li ^[1]; Sue, Hung-Jue ^[1]; Liang, Hong ^[1]; Zhou, Fujie ^[1]; ^[1]

Texas A & M Univ., College Station, TX (United States)

Lignin-based carbon fiber represents a renewable and low-cost alternative to petroleum-based carbon fiber. However, the poor mechanical performance of current lignin carbon fiber hinders its application. We hypothesized that the lower optimal mechanical performance is caused by the inherent heterogeneity of lignin. It is still unknown how the molecular weights (MWs) and lignin uniformity will impact the performance of lignin carbon fiber. We thereby addressed this hypothesis by fractionating lignin into fractions with different MWs and polydispersity indices (PDIs). An enzyme–mediator-based method and a dialysis method were developed to derive lignin fractions with increased MW and decreased PDI. Lignin fractions were electro-spun into fibers after blending with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) at 1 : 1 (w/w) ratio. The fractionation in general improved the spinnability of lignin to allow us to obtain finer lignin-based carbon fibers. The elastic modulus of lignin carbon fibers, as measured by nanoindentation, was increased as the lignin MW increased and as PDI decreased. The scatter plot and linear regression revealed very good correlation between the elastic modulus and PDI, as well as certain correlation between the elastic modulus and MW. XRD and Raman spectroscopy revealed that the crystallite size and the content of the pre-graphitic turbostratic carbon increased with higher lignin MW and lower PDI, revealing the mechanism of the improvement in carbon fiber mechanical performance. Finally, this study elucidated the impacts of lignin MW and uniformity on the mechanical properties of carbon fiber, and could thus guide the development of lignin processing technologies for quality lignin-based carbon fiber.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Texas A & M Univ., College Station, TX (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0007104; EE0006112

OSTI ID:: 3012079

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1535251
OSTI ID: 2525913
OSTI ID: 2532430

Journal Information:: Journal of Materials Chemistry. A, Journal Name: Journal of Materials Chemistry. A Journal Issue: 25 Vol. 5; ISSN 2050-7488; ISSN 2050-7496

Publisher:: Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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