University of North Texas

Nandika D'Souza

Richard A Dixon

Fang Chen

Mangesh Nar

Paul S Braterman

Amit Dharia

Poly-(caffeyl alcohol) (PCFA), also known as C-lignin, is a promising new source of both carbon fibers and pure carbon. PCFA can be used to produce carbon fibers by direct electrospinning, without blending with another polymer to reduce breakage. Analyses have shown that the carbon obtained from PCFA is superior to that obtained from other lignins. The fibers formed from PCFA are smoother, have a narrower diameter distribution, and show very low defects. The PCFA can be obtained by extraction from plant seed coats. Examples of these plants include the vanilla orchid,, and. The fibers may be formed through electrospinning, although other methods for forming the fibers, such as extrusion with a carrier polymer, could be used. The fibers may then be carbonized to increase the carbon yield.

Methods for producing carbon fibers from poly-(caffeyl alcohol)

Novel metal hydroxide derivatives which chemically combine positively charged metal hydroxide layers with negatively charged phosphorus-containing species, which can be either anionic organophosphorus materials or phosphorus-containing polymeric anions, are described. The metal hydroxide derivatives are useful flame retardants through their ability to be completely dispersed and their formation of a crust or char to prevent flame propagation.

Growing community of inventors

Plano, TX, United States of America

Nandika D'Souza