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Wet‐Spinning and Carbonization of Lignin‐Polyvinyl Alcohol Precursor Fibers
Author(s) -
Föllmer Marie,
Jestin Simon,
Neri Wilfrid,
Vo Van Son,
Derré Alain,
Mercader Célia,
Poulin Philippe
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced sustainable systems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.499
H-Index - 24
ISSN - 2366-7486
DOI - 10.1002/adsu.201900082
Subject(s) - carbonization , polyvinyl alcohol , lignin , materials science , spinning , polymer , fiber , chemical engineering , miscibility , cellulose , composite material , organic chemistry , chemistry , scanning electron microscope , engineering
Abstract Lignin is a promising bio‐based precursor for sustainable carbon fibers. Limiting factors for their development include the brittleness of lignin and the lack of large‐scale production routes. Here, a simple and economic wet‐spinning method, suitable for the fabrication of fibers based on softwood Kraft lignin (KL) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), is proposed. These two polymers reveal a partial miscibility in solution, and form metastable dispersions in solid state. KL‐PVA fibers are prepared at a weight ratio of 70:30 and are carbonized without thermo‐stabilization. A tailor‐made temperature program leads to a decreased microporosity on the fiber surfaces. The obtained carbon structures at 1000 °C are found to be poorly ordered, leading to only intermediate mechanical and electrical properties. However, graphitic domains appear at temperatures above 1500 °C and indicate a high potential for the system.