Microstructure and Properties of Liquefied Wood-Based Activated Carbon Fibers Prepared from Precursors and Carbon Fibers

Liquefied wood-based activated carbon fibers (LWACF) were prepared from liquefied wood-based precursors (LWP) and liquefied wood-based carbon fibers. Microstructure and properties of LWACF were studied using analysis of X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and a microtensile tester. It was found that LWACF prepared from LWP (LWACF1) could form a larger crystal size and denser graphite-like structure than those prepared from LWCF (LWACF2). However, for LWACF2, micropores were more numerous and average micropore width was larger, leading to the conclusion that LWACF2 had smaller diameter and lower mechanical properties than LWACF1 and that the burn-off value of LWACF2 was larger than that of LWACF1. Furthermore, excess amounts of element carbon (C) and C bonded to oxygen-containing functions were found on the surface of LWACF2. In conclusion, postcarbonization could damage the graphite-like structure, resulting in expanded micropores and impaired mechanical properties. Postcarbonization brought about an increase in the amount of element C and in the relative content of C bonded to oxygen-containing functions