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Li J, Tang X, Qin J, Yang J, Wu X, Wei Y, He X, Huang Z. Understanding the Molecular Arrangement and Orientation Characteristics of Mesophase Pitch and Its Fibers via a Polarized Light Microscope. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1114. [PMID: 38675033 PMCID: PMC11053412 DOI: 10.3390/polym16081114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A polarized light microscope (PLM) was utilized to examine the optical textures of mesophase pitch (MP) and MP-derived fibers, which aimed to reveal the arrangement and orientation characteristics of pitch molecules and to clarify the evolution and transformation mechanism of carbonaceous microcrystalline from pitch fibers to graphitized fibers. The results found that there were distinct optical textures in MP, where one side exhibited a transition from a flattening plane to a mountain-like undulating plane. This transition corresponded to the arrangement of pitch molecules, resembling stacked lamellar structures reminiscent of curved paper. Meanwhile, the optical textures of fibers revealed that the blue substance was wrapped around the red grain-like domains in the longitudinal section and confirmed that the red part belonged to the pyridine insoluble fraction of MP and the blue part belonged to its pyridine-soluble fraction. After graphitization, the red part was transformed into graphite sheets and the blue part was transformed into an amorphous carbon layer which was wrapped around the graphite sheets, forming a carbonaceous microcrystalline package-like bag. Therefore, this study provided a comprehensive interpretation of the structural evolution mechanism of MP and MP-derived fibers based on their macro-optical textures and micro-nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingpan Li
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Advanced Carbon Materials and Applied Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; (J.L.); (X.T.); (J.Q.); (X.W.); (Y.W.); (X.H.); (Z.H.)
| | - Ximing Tang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Advanced Carbon Materials and Applied Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; (J.L.); (X.T.); (J.Q.); (X.W.); (Y.W.); (X.H.); (Z.H.)
| | - Ji Qin
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Advanced Carbon Materials and Applied Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; (J.L.); (X.T.); (J.Q.); (X.W.); (Y.W.); (X.H.); (Z.H.)
| | - Jianxiao Yang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Advanced Carbon Materials and Applied Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; (J.L.); (X.T.); (J.Q.); (X.W.); (Y.W.); (X.H.); (Z.H.)
| | - Xiao Wu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Advanced Carbon Materials and Applied Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; (J.L.); (X.T.); (J.Q.); (X.W.); (Y.W.); (X.H.); (Z.H.)
- Hunan Province Engineering Research Center for High Performance Pitch-Based Carbon Materials, Hunan Toyi Carbon Material Technology Co., Ltd., Changsha 410221, China
| | - Yuxin Wei
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Advanced Carbon Materials and Applied Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; (J.L.); (X.T.); (J.Q.); (X.W.); (Y.W.); (X.H.); (Z.H.)
| | - Xubin He
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Advanced Carbon Materials and Applied Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; (J.L.); (X.T.); (J.Q.); (X.W.); (Y.W.); (X.H.); (Z.H.)
| | - Zujian Huang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Advanced Carbon Materials and Applied Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; (J.L.); (X.T.); (J.Q.); (X.W.); (Y.W.); (X.H.); (Z.H.)
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Harrell TM, Scherschel A, Love-Baker C, Tucker A, Moskowitz JD, Li X. Influence of Oxygen Uptake on Pitch Carbon Fiber. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2303527. [PMID: 37420324 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202303527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Carbon fiber precursor materials, such as polyacrylonitrile, pitch, and cellulose/rayon, require thermal stabilization to maintain structural integrity during conversion into carbon fiber. Thermal stabilization mitigates undesirable decomposition and liquification of the fibers during the carbonization process. Generally, the thermal stabilization of mesophase pitch consists of the attachment of oxygen-containing functional groups onto the polymeric structure. In this study, the oxidation of mesophase pitch precursor fibers at various weight percentage increases (1, 3.5, 5, 7.5 wt%) and temperatures (260, 280, 290 °C) using in situ differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis is investigated. The results are analyzed to determine the effect of temperature and weight percentage increase on the stabilization process of the fibers, and the fibers are subsequently carbonized and tested for tensile mechanical performance. The findings provide insight into the relationship between stabilization conditions, fiber microstructure, and mechanical properties of the resulting carbon fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy M Harrell
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, 122 Engineer's Way, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | - Alexander Scherschel
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, 122 Engineer's Way, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | - Cole Love-Baker
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, 122 Engineer's Way, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | - Amy Tucker
- Solvay Composite Materials, 7139 Augusta Rd, Piedmont, SC, 29673, USA
| | | | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, 122 Engineer's Way, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
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Kim JH. Ex Situ Study on the Co-Preparation of Pitch and Carbon Black from Petroleum Residue to Improve the Cost-Efficiency of the Pitch Synthesis Plant. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:ma16093592. [PMID: 37176474 PMCID: PMC10180152 DOI: 10.3390/ma16093592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to improve the economic efficiency of the pitch synthesis reaction on the pilot plant by optimizing the pitch synthesis reaction and utilization of the byproduct. The pitch was synthesized using a 150 L pilot plant with pyrolyzed fuel oil as a precursor. The pitch synthesis reaction is carried out through volatilization and polycondensation, which occur at 300 and 400 °C. Volatilization is terminated during heating; thus, additional soaking time is meaningless and reduces the process efficiency. Soaking time is a major variable when the synthesis temperature exceeds 400 °C. The byproduct is generated through volatilization; thus, its chemical characteristics are only influenced by the reaction temperature. The byproduct consists of various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The average molecular weight and yield of the byproduct increase with the reaction temperature. Carbon black was synthesized using chemical vapor deposition from the byproduct. The particle size of carbon black was controlled by the used precursor (byproduct), and the electrical conductivity of prepared carbon black has a maximum of 58.0 S/cm. Therefore, carbon black, which is synthesized from the byproduct of pitch synthesis, is expected to be used as a precursor for conductive material used in lithium-ion batteries or supercapacitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hong Kim
- C1 Gas & Carbon Convergent Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
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Gao X, Zhang Y, Wu Y, Nguyen TT, Wu J, Guo M, Du C. Inspired by Skeletal Muscles: Study of the Physical and Electrochemical Properties of Derived Lignocellulose-Based Carbon Fibers. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:8068. [PMID: 36431557 PMCID: PMC9694132 DOI: 10.3390/ma15228068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Skeletal muscles exhibit excellent properties due to their well-developed microstructures. Taking inspiration from nature that thick filaments and thin filaments are linked by "cross-bridges", leading to good stability and ion transport performance of muscles. In this work, extracted poplar lignin and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were connected by biomimetic covalent bonds, akin to biological muscle tissue, in which isophorone diisocyanate was used as the chemical crosslinking agent. Then, poplar lignin-MCC was mixed with polyacrylonitrile to serve as the precursor for electrospinning. The results show that due to the effective covalent-bond connection, the precursor fibers possess excellent morphology, smooth surface, good thermal stability, and high flexibility and toughness (average elongation-at-break is 51.84%). Therefore, after thermal stabilization and carbonization, derived lignocellulose-based carbon fibers (CFs) with a reduced cost, complete fiber morphology with a uniform diameter (0.48 ± 0.22 μm), and high graphitization degree were obtained. Finally, the electrodes fabrication and electrochemical testing were carried out. The results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicate that the Rs and Rct values of CFs supercapacitors are 1.18 Ω and 0.14 Ω, respectively. Results of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) suggest that these CFs demonstrate great application potential in electrochemical materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Gao
- College of Sports and Human Sciences, Post-Doctoral Mobile Research Station, Graduate School, Harbin Sport University, Harbin 150008, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Yueting Wu
- College of Sports and Human Sciences, Post-Doctoral Mobile Research Station, Graduate School, Harbin Sport University, Harbin 150008, China
| | - Tat Thang Nguyen
- College of Wood Industry and Interior Design, Vietnam National University of Forestry, Hanoi 156220, Vietnam
| | - Jie Wu
- College of Sports and Human Sciences, Post-Doctoral Mobile Research Station, Graduate School, Harbin Sport University, Harbin 150008, China
| | - Minghui Guo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Chunhua Du
- College of Sports and Human Sciences, Post-Doctoral Mobile Research Station, Graduate School, Harbin Sport University, Harbin 150008, China
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Liu Y, Liu J, Yang J, Wu X, Li J, Shi K, Liu B, Tan R. In-Situ Doping B4C Nanoparticles in Mesophase Pitch for Preparing Carbon Fibers with High Thermal Conductivity by Boron Catalytic Graphitization. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27165132. [PMID: 36014372 PMCID: PMC9414320 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27165132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The boron carbide (B4C) nanoparticles doping mesophase pitch (MP) was synthesized by the in-situ doping method with tetrahydrofuran solvent, and the corresponding MP−based carbon fibers (CFs) were successfully prepared through the melt−spinning, stabilization, carbonization and graphitization processes. The structural evolution and properties of boron−containing pitches and fibers in different processes were investigated for exploring the effect of B4C on mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of CFs. The results showed that the B4C was evenly dispersed in pitch fibers to provide active sites of oxygen, resulting in a homogeneous stabilization and ameliorating the split−ting microstructures of CFs. Moreover, the thermal conductivity of B1−MP−CF prepared with 1 wt.% B4C increased to 1051 W/m•K, which was much higher than that of B0−MP−CF prepared without B4C (659 W/m•K). While the tensile strength of B4C−doped CFs was lower than that of pristine CFs. In addition, a linear relationship equation between the graphite microcrystallite parameter (ID/IG) calculated from Raman spectra and the thermal conductivity (λ) calculated according to the electrical resistivity was found, which was beneficial to understand the thermal properties of CFs. Therefore, the doping B4C nanoparticles in MP did play a significant role in reducing the graphitization temperatures due to the boron catalytic graphitization but decreasing the mechanical properties due to the introduction of impurities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Liu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Advanced Carbon Materials and Applied Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Jiahao Liu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Advanced Carbon Materials and Applied Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Jianxiao Yang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Advanced Carbon Materials and Applied Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
- Correspondence: (J.Y.); (R.T.)
| | - Xiao Wu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Advanced Carbon Materials and Applied Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Jun Li
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha 410114, China
| | - Kui Shi
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Advanced Carbon Materials and Applied Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Ruixuan Tan
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Advanced Carbon Materials and Applied Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
- Correspondence: (J.Y.); (R.T.)
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