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

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RESEARCH ARTICLE

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

The Open Agriculture Journal 31 Dec 2010 RESEARCH ARTICLE DOI: 10.2174/1874331501004010119

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.

Keywords: Black liquor, carbon fiber, kraft lignins, oxidative stabilization, strength properties, thermal analysis.