The review summarizes recent advances in the production of carbon fiber precursors based on melt-spun acrylonitrile copolymers. Approaches to decrease the melting point of polyacrylonitrile and acrylonitrile copolymers are analyzed, including copolymerization with inert comonomers, plasticization by various solvents and additives, among them the eco-friendly ways to use the carbon dioxide and ionic liquids. The methods for preliminary modification of precursors that provides the thermal oxidative stabilization of the fibers without their melting and the reduction in the stabilization duration without the loss of the mechanical characteristics of the fibers are discussed. Special attention is paid to different ways of crosslinking by irradiation with different sources. Examples of the carbon fibers preparation from melt-processable acrylonitrile copolymers are considered in detail. A patent search was carried out and the information on the methods for producing carbon fibers from precursors based on melt-spun acrylonitrile copolymers are summarized.
Keywords: carbon fibers; cyclization of nitrile groups; extrusion; melt stability; melt-spun fibers; polyacrylonitrile; thermo-oxidative stabilization.