Carbon nanofibers from a blend of lignin with recycled PET: Properties and characterization

Efstratios Svinterikos, Ioannis Zuburtikudis, Mohamed Al Marzouqi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The depletion of natural resources has dictated the need to seek alternative feedstock for the manufacture of high added-value products for industrial use. Here we present a road map for the manufacture of activated carbon submicron- and nanofibers from renewable and waste resources, namely lignin and recycled PET (r-PET). Using the electrospinning technique, mats of varying average fiber diameter were prepared, consisting of a varying mass ratio of lignin/r-PET. The carbonization of these mats proved that the morphology of the carbonized fibers depends on the average fiber diameter and on the lignin/r-PET mass ratio of the precursor ones. Using a 1/1 lignin/PET mass ratio results in the melting of the thinnest fibers (average diameter <300 nm). The melting of the thinnest fibers compromises their surface area, while the thicker ones retain their morphology and after activation their surface area can reach the value of 500 m2/g. Using a higher lignin/PET mass ratio (at least 4/1) results in carbon nanofibers with average diameter lower than 200 nm, as the precursors retain their shape after carbonization.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNanoscale Science and Engineering Forum 2018 - Core Programming Area at the 2018 AIChE Annual Meeting
PublisherAIChE
Pages115-122
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781510876149
Publication statusPublished - 2018
EventNanoscale Science and Engineering Forum 2018 - Core Programming Area at the 2018 AIChE Annual Meeting - Pittsburgh, United States
Duration: Oct 28 2018Nov 2 2018

Publication series

NameNanoscale Science and Engineering Forum 2018 - Core Programming Area at the 2018 AIChE Annual Meeting

Conference

ConferenceNanoscale Science and Engineering Forum 2018 - Core Programming Area at the 2018 AIChE Annual Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPittsburgh
Period10/28/1811/2/18

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemical Engineering
  • General Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Materials Chemistry

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