The Wood-Based Biorefinery: A Source of Carbon Fiber?

Abstract

In this mini-review, various attempts to make carbon fiber from lignins are discussed. The replacement of construction steel in cars and trucks with a much lighter carbon fiber-based composite will ultimately result in more fuelefficient vehicles. To replace the precursors of carbon fiber, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), or other non-renewable materials such as pitch, by cheap (kraft) lignin, a comprehensive understanding of the physical and chemical characteristics of lignin and the development of methods for its homogeneous large-scale production must be achieved.