Small-Molecule Additive for Improving Polyethylene-Derived Carbon Fiber Fabrication

A small-molecule additive, diphenylamine (DPA), was successfully employed in the production of strong, light, and high-performing polyethylene (PE)-derived carbon fibers (CFs). The incorporated DPA effectively enhanced the char yield, graphitic structure, and melt-spinnability of the PE matrix, as evidenced by various spectroscopic, thermogravimetric, and rheological analyses. Furthermore, the PE/DPA-derived CFs exhibited sound mechanical properties, with a tensile strength of 0.63±0.13 GPa and modulus of 37.89±5.53 GPa.