Lee, Sora Cho, Se Youn Chung, Yong Sik Choi, Young Chul Lee, Sungho 2024-01-19T11:02:43Z 2024-01-19T11:02:43Z 2022-09-08 2022-10 0008-6223 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/114515 The boron-assisted catalytic graphitization of carbonaceous materials is an attractive methodology for enhancing their electrical properties by modulating the chemical structures of pristine carbons. In this study, polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibers (CFs) with highly developed microstructures were prepared by boron -assisted catalytic graphitization. Hydrothermally immersed CFs in boric acid were heat-treated up to 2700 degrees C, and their chemical structures were traced to investigate the boron-assisted catalytic graphitization mechanism. Boron from the gasified boron-related functional groups of CFs diffused into the CFs to form boron carbide, B4C. The boron-substituted CFs exhibited a highly developed crystalline structure that could not be achieved by heat treatment alone, indicating that boron accelerated the graphitic carbon structure. As a result, boron-assisted catalytic graphitization at 2700 degrees C simultaneously enhanced the electrical and thermal conductivities of CFs, with values of 3677.8 S/cm and 365.9 W/mK, respectively, which were 2.8 and 2.4 times higher than those of heat-treated CFs at 2700 degrees C. In addition, CFs were used to prepare CF papers using a wet-laid process, and their heat generation and thermal management capabilities were evaluated. Considering affordable CFs compared to nanomaterials, we believe that our study provides a feasible approach for fabricating heating elements and heat sinks. English Pergamon Press Ltd. High electrical and thermal conductivities of a PAN-based carbon fiber via boron-assisted catalytic graphitization Article 10.1016/j.carbon.2022.07.068 1 Carbon, v.199, pp.70 - 79 Carbon 199 70 79 N scie scopus 000843966400004 Chemistry, Physical Materials Science, Multidisciplinary Chemistry Materials Science Article DOPED GRAPHENE COMPOSITE POLYACRYLONITRILE RESISTANCE MICROSTRUCTURE NANOSHEETS NANOTUBES POLYMER SENSOR LAYER Boron doping Carbon fiber Electrical and thermal conductivities Graphitization Heating element