Carbon Fiber Textures from Cellulose Precursors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for obtaining carbon fibers from cellulose precursors face challenges in achieving high mechanical properties and are environmentally and economically inefficient due to the use of organic solvents for impregnating organosilicon additives.
Innovation Solution
A method involving spinning cellulose filaments from a viscose solution, washing, impregnating with an aqueous organosilicon emulsion, drying, and carbonizing under tension, which allows for uniform deposition and improved mechanical properties without the need for organic solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If organosilicon additives are impregnated using organic solvents (e.g., perchloroethylene), then the mechanical properties of carbon fibers can be improved, but environmental harm and recycling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameter of the impregnation medium from organic solvent to aqueous emulsion. This substitution maintains the effectiveness of organosilicon additive deposition while eliminating the environmental harm associated with organic solvents like perchloroethylene, thus resolving the contradiction between mechanical property improvement and environmental protection
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an aqueous emulsion as an intermediary carrier for the organosilicon additives. This emulsion system allows the hydrophobic organosilicon compounds to be effectively delivered and deposited on the cellulose precursor fibers without requiring harmful organic solvents, thereby achieving both mechanical property enhancement and environmental safety
2Strength
If organosilicon additives are impregnated using organic solvents, then mechanical properties improve, but recycling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the impregnation medium from organic solvent to aqueous emulsion, the invention eliminates the need for expensive and energy-intensive recycling processes required for organic solvents. Water-based systems are inherently more economical and environmentally friendly, reducing both direct costs and energy consumption associated with solvent recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The aqueous emulsion system uses water as the base medium, which is abundant, inexpensive, and does not require complex recycling infrastructure. This approach replaces expensive, recyclable organic solvents with a cheap, easily disposed-of aqueous medium, thereby reducing recycling costs while maintaining the effectiveness of the organosilicon additive deposition
3Manufacturing precision
If cellulose filaments are impregnated with organosilicon additives before drying, then uniform deposition is achieved, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs the impregnation action at an optimal point in the process sequence - after washing but before drying - when the cellulose filaments are still moist. This preliminary impregnation on wet filaments ensures uniform absorption and distribution of the aqueous organosilicon emulsion, achieving consistent deposition without requiring complex additional equipment or process steps
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method significantly enhances the mechanical properties of carbon fibers, achieving breaking strengths greater than 1200 MPa and Young's modulus greater than 40 GPa, while reducing environmental impact and recycling costs.
Implementation Method 1
impregnating the washed and non-dried cellulose filaments with an aqueous emulsion of at least one organosilicon additive
Implementation Method 2
carbonizing the fiber texture by running continuously through a carbonizing enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
A method of obtaining fiber textures of carbon from a cellulose precursor includes the steps of: spinning cellulose filaments (12) from a viscose solution or a cellulose solution; subjecting the cellulose filaments to washing in water (21); impregnating the washed and non-dried cellulose filaments with an aqueous emulsion (41) of at least one organosilicon additive; drying the impregnated cellulose filaments; and obtaining a fiber texture made up of impregnated and dried cellulose filaments prior to carbonization.