Paper and fabric were able to be carbonized at high temperatures without thermal decomposition.

What is it about?

Cellulosic materials including yarn, filament, fabric, and paper made from cotton, rayon, and other plant fibers such as abaca, sisal, and woody pulp are able to be carbonized without thermal decomposition through a catalyst treatment before carbonization. Carbon materials having high carbon yields which are near to the theoretical carbon content of cellulose molecules are obtained. Electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of the carbonized papers and fabrics are very good and are enhanced by heat-treatments at higher temperatures after carbonization.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer and promising precursor for a variety of carbon materials. Carbonization of cellulosic materials is carried out in a solid phase at temperatures higher than 600℃ in most case. This is appropriate for mass production of carbon materials. However, efficient carbonization (i.e., high carbon yield) is very hard because of the thermal decomposition occurring at high temperatures so far. We have found that cellulosic materials are able to be carbonized without the thermal decomposition and that the carbon yield is very high. Moreover, structural properties such as woven and knitted textures are retained after the carbonization.

Perspectives