Carbon nanofibers from renewable bioresources (lignin) and a recycled commodity polymer [poly(ethylene terephthalate)]

Abstract

Utilizing inexpensive biorenewable and waste raw materials for the production of carbon nanofibers can pave the way for lowering their manufacturing cost. In this research, lignin is combined with recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) to fabricate precursor fibers via electrospinning. The process is optimized using the Design of Experiments statistical methodology and fibers with minimum average diameter equal to 191 6 60 nm are prepared. Investigation with Attenuated Total Reflection -Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy reveals the lignin structural changes induced by the solvent (trifluoroacetic acid), which is used for the preparation of homogeneous solutions of lignin and PET in various concentrations, while it gives an indication of the blending of the two electrospun polymers. The good miscibility between lignin and PET is also confirmed with Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The subsequent carbonization of the precursor fibrous mats results in a fibrous carbon structure with average fiber diameters similar to those of the precursor fibers. The successful transformation into carbon nanofibers is affirmed by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. The Carbon content of these nanofibers amounts to 94.3%. V C 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43936.

Effects of Various Surfactants on Alkali Lignin Electrospinning Ability and Spun Fibers

“…After being electrospun into fibers, the Tg converted to 152.36 ± 1.17 °C (Table 2), which indicated successful crosslinking between lignin and PVA. 54,55 As listed in Table 2, the addition of surfactants (regardless of types or concentrations)…”

Carbon Nanomaterials for the Adsorptive Desulfurization of Fuels

“…Inside the bulk of a CNF, crystallites consisting of bent layers of sp 2 -hybridized carbon atoms exist (turbostratic regions); so, these regions resemble the form of graphite but contain many more defects [17]. eir structural characteristics, including the degree of crystallinity, the crystallite orientation and size, the extent of the amorphous regions, and the presence and geometry of pores, depend on their precursors, the method of manufacture, and possible posttreatment [16][17][18][19]. In Figure 6, a mat of carbon nanofibers is shown, together with a model of crystal structure for highly oriented carbon fibers.…”

“…CNFs carry a series of attractive properties, including high specific surface area, remarkable tensile strength and a modulus that can reach up to four times that of steel, low specific gravity, and high thermal stability [16,19]. Moreover, their properties can be tailored according to the desired application by selecting the suitable precursors, adjusting the manufacturing method, or functionalizing their surface chemistry.…”

“…Moreover, their properties can be tailored according to the desired application by selecting the suitable precursors, adjusting the manufacturing method, or functionalizing their surface chemistry. e main manufacturing process of CNFs is the spinning and thermal treatment of a suitable polymeric precursor, such as poly(acrylonitrile), mesophase pitch, lignin, or their combinations with other polymers [17,19]. e spinning of raw polymeric feedstock into polymeric precursor nanofibers is mainly carried out via electrospinning [16][17][18][19].…”

“…e main manufacturing process of CNFs is the spinning and thermal treatment of a suitable polymeric precursor, such as poly(acrylonitrile), mesophase pitch, lignin, or their combinations with other polymers [17,19]. e spinning of raw polymeric feedstock into polymeric precursor nanofibers is mainly carried out via electrospinning [16][17][18][19]. Electrospinning is advantageous in that the nanofiber diameter can easily be lowered to around 100 nm by adjusting the process parameters [20].…”