Evolution of carbon nanostructure during pyrolysis of homogeneous chitosan-cellulose composite fibers

Chitosan-cellulose composite fibers spun using a Lyocell technology are characterized by homogeneous distribution and close packing of the two biopolymers inside fibrous matrix. Due to intimate contact cellulose chitosan, synergistic effects can be observed during pyrolysis fibers. In this study, catalytic role chitosan in altering pathway at moderate treatment temperatures up 900 °C is confirmed. Analyses evolved gases revealed that promoted dehydration substantially decreased formation levoglucosan, explaining higher char yield. The enhanced reaction associated with intermolecular crosslinks due incorporation nitrogen from resulting carbon structures. Nitrogen could also contribute in-plane disorder aromatic clusters when carried out 500–700 °C, although less noticeable 700 °C. Nevertheless, size cluster continues grow pyrolyzed temperature range 500–900