Lignin Based Carbon Fiber

Date:May 17, 2017

Country: United States

Application

• The applications of this project include the production of high-quality carbon fiber for use in industries such as automotive, wind energy, and sports equipment. Additionally, the process enables the creation of bioplastics, asphalt binder modifiers, and other sustainable materials, utilizing lignin waste efficiently.

Description

Texas A&M researchers developed a process to convert lignin waste from the paper and biofuel industries into high-quality carbon fiber. By fractionating lignin using an enzyme-mediator system, they can create valuable materials, reducing waste and enabling applications in automotive, windmill, and sports industries. The process also allows for the production of bioplastics and other products, promoting a sustainable, integrated bioeconomy. This innovation could boost the U.S. economy by creating jobs in agriculture and manufacturing.

Pathway Description:

The process used in this project involves fractionating lignin, a byproduct of the paper and biofuel industries, into its individual components using an enzyme-mediator system. This process separates lignin into different molecular weights, functional groups, and chemical bonds. The high-density, high molecular weight fraction is then used to produce high-quality carbon fiber, while the low molecular weight fraction is utilized for bioplastics and other products like asphalt binder modifiers. This method effectively breaks down lignin and utilizes it without waste.