Unmet Need:
Carbon fibers are a highly desirable material in a variety of applications such as for aerospace and military due to their light weight and strong mechanical properties. Among commercially produced carbon fibers, polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based ones make up the vast majority of the market owing to its superior performance. However, current production methods for PAN-based and other high quality fibers are very expensive, energy intensive, and environmentally unfriendly. Thus, there remains a need for a more sustainable, cost and energy efficient method of carbon fiber production.
Technology Overview
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a method for upgrading low-cost carbon fiber in methane toward high mechanical performance. This is by strengthening carbon-black based fibers through methane pyrolysis, which strengthens the internal bonds of the material and generates hydrogen as a byproduct, while the derived solid form of carbon would eliminate the emission of carbon dioxide. This method provides an energy-efficient approach toward conversion of methane into hydrogen and high-performance carbon fibers.
Stage of Development
Method has been developed and tested.
