Characterization of the nanopore structures of PAN-based carbon fiber precursors by small angle X-ray scattering

The nanopore structures in precursors are crucial to the performance of PAN-based carbon fibers. Four carbon-fiber precursors are prepared. They are bath-fed filaments (A), water-washing filaments (B), hot-stretching filaments (C) and drying-densification filaments (D). Synchrotron radiation small angle X-ray scattering is used to probe and compare the nanopore structures of the four fibers. The nanopore size, discrete volume distribution, nanopore orientation degree along the fiber axis and the porosity are obtained. The results demonstrate that the nanopores are mainly formed in the water-washing stage. During the processes of the subsequent production technologies, the slenderness ratio of nanopores and their orientation degree along the fiber axis increase further and simultaneously, the porosity decreases. These results are helpful for improving the performance of the final carbon fibers.