Abstract
Lyocell fibers were used as a precursor in order to improve yield and strength of cellulose-based precursor while manufacturing activated carbon fiber(ACF). Lyocell fibers as a precursor for the preparation of ACF were surface-modified by reaction with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane(APTES) and pre-treated with KOH and H3PO4. Using aforementioned precursor, ACFs were prepared by a series of stabilization, carbonization and activation process at high temperatures. On each process, FT-IR, TGA, UTM and SEM were used to observe fibers' physical properties including structure and porous surfaces. FT-IR results proved that surface modification was achieved during stabilization, carbonization and activation process. TGA results during carbonization process found that surface modified fibers with APTES 0.02 mol(A2) showed higher thermostability, and extended pre-treatment increased yield. Especially, yield was found to have an increase of 10~20 wt% with surface modification during activation process. UTM results showed that tensile strength has the same order of concentration of APTES after surface modification, however, was found to show lower tensile strength than lyocell fibers after stabilization process. SEM results revealed that more homogeneous porosity control could be proceed after modifying the surface for the effective removal of hazardous substances.
