Carbon fibers from high-density polyethylene using a hybrid cross-linking technique

Abstract

In this study, a method for manufacturing high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-based carbon fibers using a hybrid cross-linking method was studied. HDPE precursor fibers were first cross-linked with an electron beam (E-beam) at an irradiation dose of 1000–2500 kGy, and then cross-linked in sulfuric acid at 80–110◦ C for 60 min. Hybrid crosslinked fibers were carbonized for 5 min at a temperature of 900◦ C. As a result, the hybrid crosslinked fibers had a carbonization yield of 40%. In addition, the carbonized fibers after hybrid crosslinking exhibited perfect fiber morphology, and HDPE-based carbon fibers with (002) and (10l) peaks, which are the intrinsic XRD peaks of carbon fibers, were successfully prepared.