Methods of Using N-Containing Compounds with Carbon Black to Replace Pan and Form Carbon Fibers

Abstract

A method and precursor for making carbon fibers and the like comprising carbon black modified with at least one cyclic compound promoter. A source of the carbon black may be recycled materials such as recycled tires or recycled plastics. The carbon black is modified by attaching at least one cyclic compound promoter to the outer periphery of the carbon black.

1 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A method of making carbon fibers comprising the steps of:
 1) providing a precursor , said precursor comprising carbon black with at least one cyclic compound promoter, said at least one cyclic compound promoter is a nitrogen (N)-containing compound; 2) combining said precursor with PAN; performing a stabilization process on said combined PAN and precursor; 3) preforming a carbonization process on said combined PAN and precursor; and 4) performing a graphitization process on said combined PAN and precursor.   
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46  wherein said precursor contains more than 10% carbon black. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46  wherein said carbon black is from recycled tires or recycled plastics. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46  wherein said carbon black is modified by attaching said at least one cyclic compound promoter to the periphery of the carbon black. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 46  wherein said carbon black is modified by attaching said at least one cyclic compound promoter to the periphery of the carbon black. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 46  wherein said carbon black is modified by attaching said nitrogen (N)-containing compound to the outer periphery of the carbon black. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 46  wherein said N-containing compound is from the group including organics containing di-cyano groups, cyanamide, carbodiimides, pyridine, 2,2-bipyridine, ammonia, hydrazine, 2-aminopyridine, 2-cyanopyridine, and related compounds. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 46  wherein said N-containing compound contains cyano-groups that simulate the cyano group cyclization process. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 46  wherein said stabilization process includes heating said combined PAN and precursor to cause polymer chains in said combined PAN and precursor to begin crosslinking to increase fiber density. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54  wherein said stabilization process includes heating said combined PAN and precursor in Oxygen in the range of 204 C to 399 C. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 46  wherein said carbonization process includes heating said combined PAN and precursor to remove non-carbon molecules in said combined PAN and precursor. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56  wherein said carbonization process includes heating said combined PAN and precursor in Nitrogen in the range of 482 C to 1,482 C. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 46  wherein said graphitization process includes heating said combined PAN and precursor in Nitrogen. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 46  wherein said graphitization process includes heating said combined PAN and precursor in Nitrogen in the range of 1982 C to 3,326 C.