Preparation of Cellulose-Derived Carbon Fibers Using a New Reduced-Pressure Stabilization Method

We present a new continuous stabilization process for cellulose-derivedcarbonfibers (CFs) with mechanical properties rivaling those of polyacrylonitrile-derived CFs. The novel process enables optimum control over the stabilization process.The effects of process temperature and dwell time on the structure and mechanicalproperties of the stabilizedfibers were investigated by elemental analysis, wide-angle X-ray scattering, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and tensile testing.Laboratory-scale carbonization trials of the stabilizedfibers were accomplished in acontinuous process at 1400 degrees C. Received CFs had tensile strengths up to 2.8 GPa andYoung's moduli up to 112 GPa. By adjusting the stabilization conditions, the mechanicalproperties of the resulting CFs can be tuned.