Softwood kraft lignin electrospun carbon fiber mats were produced with random and aligned fiber collecting methods. The mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of the random and aligned fiber mats were characterized. SEM images revealed that fiber alignment using the rotating drum method produced smaller fibers. Tensile tests indicated higher tensile strength and Young's modulus for the aligned fiber mats as compared to the random fiber mats. The mechanical properties of the aligned fiber mat increased compared with that of the random fiber mat. Electrical conductivity of carbon fiber mats significantly increased when the carbonization temperature increased from 800°C to 900°C, and the conductivity of the 1000°C aligned carbon fiber mats was ～2.5 times higher than the corresponding random fiber mats. Raman spectroscopy indicated that the lignin carbon fibers were in the state of amorphous carbon transferring to nanocrystalline graphite.
展开▼
