Improved structure and highly conductive lignin-carbon fibers through graphene oxide liquid crystal. (15th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Torres-Canas, Fernando; Bentaleb, Ahmed; Fӧllmer, Marie; Roman, Julien; Neri, Wilfrid; Ly, Isabelle; Derré, Alain; Poulin, Philippe
• Is Part Of: Carbon. Volume 163(2020)
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 127
• Publication Date: 2020-08-15
• Subjects: Carbon -- Periodicals; Carbone -- Périodiques; Koolstof; Toepassingen; Electronic journals; 546.681
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2020.02.077
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-6223

Abstract

Abstract: Lignin is considered as a promising bio-sourced precursor for more sustainable and low-cost carbon fibers (CFs). However, lignin-based CFs generally have a poor graphitic structure, compared to polyacrylonitrile CFs. In this paper, we present an original approach that uses graphene oxide liquid crystal (GOLC) as a templating agent to promote the formation of graphitic structure in the fibers at low carbonization temperature. Both lignin and hybrid lignin/GOLC CFs were carbonized/graphitized up to 2700 °C. Structural analyses by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and electrical measurements manifest a significant improvement in graphitic structure and a preferred orientation of graphene planes for lignin/GOLC fibers. These effects are the result of axial propagation of the templated graphitic order nucleated by the large GO flakes. The current approach reveals the possibility of preparing low-cost lignin-based CFs with improved graphitic structure and high electrical conductivity at low temperature for electrochemical or smart textile applications. Graphical abstract: Image 1