Controlling the graphite-like microcrystalline structure of lignin-based ultrafine carbon fibers via the design of condensed structures

Zihao Feng; Jixing Bai; Jingke Zhang; Xingxiang Qi; Naiqi Li; Ci Song; Yinuo Sun; Jianguo Tang; Shichao Wang

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132191

Controlling the graphite-like microcrystalline structure of lignin-based ultrafine carbon fibers via the design of condensed structures

Int J Biol Macromol. 2024 May 9;270(Pt 2):132191. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132191. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Zihao Feng¹, Jixing Bai¹, Jingke Zhang¹, Xingxiang Qi¹, Naiqi Li¹, Ci Song¹, Yinuo Sun¹, Jianguo Tang¹, Shichao Wang²

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Hybrid Materials, National Center of International Research for Hybrid Materials Technology, National Base of International Science & Technology Cooperation, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
² Institute of Hybrid Materials, National Center of International Research for Hybrid Materials Technology, National Base of International Science & Technology Cooperation, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China. Electronic address: wangsc@qdu.edu.cn.

PMID: 38729466
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132191

Abstract

Obtaining lignin-based graphite-like microcrystallites at a relatively low carbonization temperature is still very challenging. In this work, we report a new method based on condensed structures, for regulating graphite-like microcrystalline structures via the incorporation of 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) into the main structure of lignin. The effects of MDI on the thermal properties of lignin and the graphite-like microcrystalline structure of lignin-based ultrafine carbon fibers were extensively studied and investigated. The incorporation of MDI decreased the thermal stability of lignin, increased the carbon yield and enhanced the formation of graphite-like microcrystallites, which are beneficial for reducing energy consumption during the preparation of lignin-based carbon fibers. The modified lignin-based ultrafine carbon fibers (M-LCFs) demonstrated satisfactory electrochemical performance, including high specific capacitance, low charge transfer resistance, and good cycle performance. The M-LCFs-3/2 electrode had a specific capacitance of 241.3 F g^-1 at a current density of 0.5 A g^-1, and a residual ratio of 90.2 % after 2000 charge and discharge cycles. This study provides a new approach to control the graphite-like microcrystalline structure and electrochemical performance while also optimizing the temperature.

Keywords: Cross-linked structure; Graphite-like microcrystalline structure; Lignin-based ultrafine carbon fibers.