TWO-STEP SULFONATION PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF POLYMER FIBERS TO CARBON FIBERS

摘要

Disclosed herein are processes for preparing carbon fibers, comprising: sulfonating a polymer fiber with a sulfonating agent that is fuming sulfuric acid, sulfuric acid, chlorosulfonic acid, or a combination thereof; treating the sulfonated polymer with a heated solvent, wherein the temperature of the heated solvent is at least 95 °C; and carbonizing the resulting product by heating it to a temperature of 500-3000 °C. Carbon fibers prepared according to these methods are also disclosed herein.