HOLLOW POLYACRYLONITRILE (PAN) AND PAN/CARBONNANOTUBE-(CNT-) BASED CARBON FIBERS

摘要

Hollow polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and PAN/carbon nanotube- (CNT-) based carbon fibers are being processed using bi-component fiber spinning in conjunction with gel spinning. Fiber processing, stabilization, and carbonization conditions of these hollow PAN- and PAN/CNT-based carbon fibers are being optimized. Precursor fibers, as well as their stabilized and carbonized products have been characterized for the structure, morphology, as well as mechanical properties. The potential of developing high-strength and high-modulus carbon fibers with a density less than water will be discussed. The merit of this approach in narrowing the gap between the experimental and theoretical carbon-fiber tensile strength will also be addressed.