This Review gives an overview of precursor systems, their processing, and the final precursor-dependent structure of carbon fibers (CFs) including new developments in precursor systems for low-cost CFs. The following CF precursor systems are discussed: poly(acrylonitrile)-based copolymers, pitch, cellulose, lignin, poly(ethylene), and new synthetic polymeric precursors for high-end CFs. In addition, structure-property relationships and the different models for describing both the structure and morphology of CFs will be presented.

Carbon Fibers: Precursor Systems, Processing, Structure, and Properties

The confluence of two US energy policy mandates, the 2012 Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards and Renewable Fuels Standard #2, provide the opportunity to examine the possibility of high-value materials from lignin with increased depth. In this case, the desire to provide lighter, low-cost materials for automobiles to reduce fuel consumption, and to improve the economics of biorefineries for fuel production, have led to an increased interest in low-cost carbon fiber manufacture from lignin. For this review the authors provide the context of subject matter importance, a cost comparison of potential low-cost carbon fibers, a brief review of historical work, a review of more recent work, and a limited technical discussion followed by recommendations for future directions. As the available material for review is limited, the author includes many references to publicly available government documents and reviewed proceedings that are generally difficult to locate. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 713-728, 2013

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/app.39273

Recent advances in low‐cost carbon fiber manufacture from lignin

The effect of processing on the structure and properties of carbon fibers

The current structural models of the cellulose microfibril as well as its mechanical and thermal properties are reviewed. The cellulose microfibril can be considered as a single thin and long crystalline entity with highly anisotropic physical properties. The contribution and limit of different methods employed such as electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray scattering and diffraction, solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and molecular modeling are also discussed.

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Structure and properties of the cellulose microfibril

Carbon fiber is increasingly being utilized as a reinforcing material due to its high strength and high modulus, which is imparted into the properties of the final composite. A comprehensive review of the carbon fiber production process, from polymerization to fiber spinning and stabilization and carbonization, is provided. Relationships between carbon fiber microstructure and material performance is undertaken in order to assess the current status of the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of commercially available PAN and pitch based carbon fibers, as well as recently developed experimental carbon fibers. A discussion of next generation carbon fibers is also provided, with a discussion on carbon fiber derived from alternative precursor materials, as well as hierarchical carbon fiber composites.

D.J. Johnson

Papers

Electron-microscope studies of structural heterogeneity in pan-based carbon fibres

Crystallinity and crystallite size measurement in polyamide and polyester fibres

Compressional behaviour of Kevlar fibres

Longitudinal compressive behaviour and microstructure of PAN-based carbon fibres

Crystallinity and crystallite size measurement in cellulose fibres: 1. Ramie and Fortisan