Effect of different acid catalysts on the properties of activated carbon fiber precursors obtained from phenolated wheat straw

In this study, wheat straw (WS) was successfully liquefied into phenol (Ph) in the presence of sulfuric and phosphoric acid at different Ph:WS ratios. The liquefied wheat straw (LWS) was mixed with the crosslinking agent hexamethylenetetramine and applied for manufacturing of activated carbon fiber precursors (ACFPs) via melt-spinning. The ACFPs were cured into a solution consisted of hydrochloric acid and formaldehyde. The morphological, thermal, and chemical properties of the ACFPs were investigated using microscopic, thermogravimetric, and spectroscopic analyses while the amount of the combined phenol (CPh) was determined via liquid chromatography. The results indicated that the type of the acid catalyst and Ph:WS ratio had a great impact on CPh and unliquefied residue. The sulfuric acid showed better performance due to its strong acidic characteristics. The results of the analyses depicted that the ACFPs obtained from sulfuric acid-based LWS resin had a more decent morphological texture, thermal resistance, and chemical structure.