Effect of some precursor characteristics on the porous texture of activated carbon fibres prepared from Nomex aramid fibres

The influence of some characteristics of Nomex [poly(m-phenylene isophthala mide)] fibres on the porous texture of activated carbon fibres (ACFs) prepa red from them by pyrolysis and CO2 activation has been comparatively analys ed. The features studied were the degree of crystallinity and the presence of dyeing additives on the precursor. The obtained ACFs were characterised by N-2 (77 K) and CO2 (273 K) adsorption, and X-ray diffraction. The result s show that the texture developed is mainly related to the degree of burn-o ff(BO) achieved. Crystallinity differences or the presence of carbon black dye in the precursor brought about little differences in porous texture, th e main ones appearing at low and high BOs. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. A ll rights reserved.