Influence of precursor structure on the properties of polyacrylonitrile-based activated carbon hollow fiber

Abstract

SYNOPSISThree types of precursors of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) hollow fibers were used to produce activated carbon hollow fibers (ACHF). These precursors are different in the structure and composition. Characterization were performed including tensile strength, modulus, x-ray diffraction, pore size distribution, and surface area measurement for the resulting ACHF. The results show that the ACHF produced from the precursor with larger crystal size and dense structure has higher mechanical properties, whereas the ACHF from the precursor with smaller crystal size and porous structure has larger surface area and broader pore size distribution.

Lyocell fibers as the precursor of carbon fibers

“…The obtained data were analyzed by Peakfit software to obtain the crystallinity. The crystal size ( L c ) was calculated by the Scherrer equation, where λ his the wavelength of the X‐ray, B is the half width of the diffraction peaks, and the factor k is the apparatus constant 0.89 in this case) 17, 18…”

“…Compared with rayon fibers, Lyocell fibers have unique characteristics, such as higher tenacity, higher modulus, lower shrinkage in the dry state, and lower tenacity and modulus reduction in the wet state 16. Moreover, the cross section of Lyocell fibers is round, the molecular chains are highly oriented along the fiber axis, and the fineness of the fiber is easy to control, so super‐fine Lyocell can be produced 17, 24. It can be made from high DP cellulose pulp 14.…”

“…16 Moreover, the cross section of Lyocell fibers is round, the molecular chains are highly oriented along the fiber axis, and the fineness of the fiber is easy to control, so superfine Lyocell can be produced. 17,24 It can be made from high DP cellulose pulp. 14 Therefore, it is reason-able to consider that Lyocell fiber may be an excellent precursor for carbon fibers.…”

Particle deposition in outside-in hollow fiber filters and its effect on their performance

“…Activated carbon hollow fibers [34,35] could be used as the membranes for DOIHF filters and HFM adsorbers.…”

Preparation of low density hollow carbon fibers by bi-component gel-spinning method

“…There are many reported fabrication methods for hollow carbon fibers: (1) PAN [4][5][6][7][8] or other precursor [9][10][11][12] solution with bore liquids was pumped simultaneously through a spinneret to form hollow fibers, and the resulting carbon fiber diameter was larger than 40 lm and most fibers were highly porous; (2) prepared hollow fibers using a blend of lignin and polypropylene (PP) by controlling phase separation during melt-spinning [13], and porous hollow fibers could be obtained with a diameter *100 lm;…”