Nanofiber Production by Gas Jet Spinning Method of Chemical Protective Clothing

摘要

The practical usefulness of carbon nanofibers depends on an economical process for creating the fibers. A process described in US Patent No 6,382,526 B1, referred to as the nanofiber by gas jet process, or briefly NGJ process was used to produce nanofibers from mesophase pitch, which were subsequently stabilized and carbonized to carbon fibers. The process produces nanofibers at such a high rate that it was necessary to move it out of a laboratory. Larger equipment and more space were acquired. Samples prepared were successfully stabilized and carbonized. Approximately 125 grams of carbonized nanofibers were sent to Dr. Heidi Schreuder-Gibson at the Army Natick Laboratory. As of this date the large scale machinery, consisting of an extruder, a large filter box, an air compressor, and an oven suitable for stabilizing the pitch fibers are together in one place, and ready to be put into operation. The NGJ apparatus continues to promise high productivity of carbon fibers with diameters around one micron, but further progress toward continuous high rate production was stalled by inadequate operating resources.