The Mass Production of Lignin Fibres by Means of Needleless ElectrospinningShow others and affiliations
2021 (English)In: Journal of Polymers and the Environment, ISSN 1566-2543, E-ISSN 1572-8919, Vol. 29, no 7, p. 2164-2173Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Abstract: Lignin, a cheap renewable natural polymer, can be used as a precursor for the production of carbon fibres, its conversion into which is significantly faster than that of polyacrylonitrile. Lignin can be fractionated in various solvents via dissolution to decrease its polydispersity. Fractions with a higher molecular weight distribution can then be used in solvent-based spinning technologies such as electrospinning. We selected several solvent systems according to the Hansen solubility theory and subsequently tested them for solubility and electro-spinability. The selected solvent systems were then successfully tested for use in the needleless electrospinning process due to their potential for mass production. The solutions used in the electrospinning process needed high concentrations of lignin, which led to a high degree of viscosity. Therefore, we measured the relaxation times and viskosity for selected solutions, a factor that plays a pivotal role in terms of the production of smooth fibres. Finally, these solutions were tested for electrospinning using alternating current. This technology brings a new possibility in mass production of lignin fibres due to its high productivity and ease of use. Such materials can be used in a number of applications such as batteries, supercapacitors or for the production of composite materials. They provide a cheap and renewable natural polymer source which can easily be transformed into a carbon nanofibrous layer. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer , 2021. Vol. 29, no 7, p. 2164-2173
Keywords [en]
AC electrospinning, Carbon fibres, Lignin, Needleless electrospinning, Fibers, Graphite fibers, Molecular weight distribution, Solubility, Solvents, Alternating current, Electrospinning process, Hansen solubility, High productivity, Lignin fibres, Mass production, Solvent system, Spinning technologies, Electrospinning
National Category
Natural Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ri:diva-52028DOI: 10.1007/s10924-020-02029-7Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85099281491OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ri-52028DiVA, id: diva2:1522620
2021-01-262021-01-262024-07-28Bibliographically approved