Carbon Fiber and Its Composites: Synthesis, Properties, Applications

Abstract

Carbon fiber is often preferred in composite production as it is a light and strong material. Traditionally, it is produced based on Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and Pitch. Today, biomass-based carbon fiber production has studied as an alternative to these petroleum-based initiators. Accordingly, cotton, wood, and cellulose are the most commonly used biomass types. However, environment-friendly carbon fiber does not yet possess as good tensile strength as petroleum-based ones. So, researchers added PAN during the production of bio-based carbon fiber. Carbon fiber can be produced as a composite with many materials like polymers, metals, ceramics, and cement. It has a wide range of uses. Nowadays, researchers try to improve the interface between epoxy and carbon fiber to increase the functional properties of the composite. By preparing carbon fiber-reinforced metal, it can be possible to use composite as a catalyst. Carbon fiber is used as filler in concrete production to avoid crack formation and thus, carbon fiber composites are crucial in preventing earthquake disasters. In brief, one can enable comprehensive and contemporary information about the synthesis and applications of all types of carbon fibers (PAN, Pitch, bio-based) and their composites (polymer, metal, ceramic, concrete, carbon nanotube, and graphene).