A process for the production of highly carbonaceous material, including combining a structured precursor including fibres and an unstructured precursor, in the form of a fluid, wherein the fluid has a viscosity of less than 45,000 mPa.Math.s.sup.−1 at the temperature at which the combination step occurs, and including at least a cyclic organic or aromatic compound in the molten state, or in solution at a concentration by weight of less than or equal to 65%, in order to obtain a combined precursor corresponding to the structured precursor covered by the unstructured precursor, wherein the process further includes step of thermal and dimensional stabilization of the combined precursor in order to obtain fibres covered with a cyclic organic or aromatic compound deposit, and a step of carbonization of the fibres covered with a cyclic organic or aromatic compound deposit in order to obtain a highly carbonaceous material.

A process for the production of highly carbonaceous material, including combining a structured precursor including fibres and an unstructured precursor, in the form of a fluid, wherein the fluid has a viscosity of less than 45,000 mPa.Math.s.sup.−1 at the temperature at which the combination step occurs, and including at least a cyclic organic or aromatic compound in the molten state, or in solution at a concentration by weight of less than or equal to 65%, in order to obtain a combined precursor corresponding to the structured precursor covered by the unstructured precursor, wherein the process further includes step of thermal and dimensional stabilization of the combined precursor in order to obtain fibres covered with a cyclic organic or aromatic compound deposit, and a step of carbonization of the fibres covered with a cyclic organic or aromatic compound deposit in order to obtain a highly carbonaceous material.

A method for producing a stabilized lignin fiber from softwood alkaline lignin by heat treatment in the absence of oxidant is disclosed. The stabilized lignin fiber can be further treated to obtain carbon fiber.

A method for producing a stabilized lignin fiber from softwood alkaline lignin by heat treatment in the absence of oxidant is disclosed. The stabilized lignin fiber can be further treated to obtain carbon fiber.

The invention relates to a process for producing at least one alkoxylated polyphenol comprising the following successive steps: (a) reacting at least one polyphenol, at least one alkoxylating agent, at least one catalyst, in the presence of at least one alkoxylated polyphenol as a solvent, the polyphenol/polyphenol alkoxylated weight ratio as a solvent being less than 2, preferably less than or equal to 1.5, more preferably less than or equal to 1, even more preferably less than or equal to 0.5; and (b) removing the residual alkoxylating agent.

The invention relates to a process for producing at least one alkoxylated polyphenol comprising the following successive steps: (a) reacting at least one polyphenol, at least one alkoxylating agent, at least one catalyst, in the presence of at least one alkoxylated polyphenol as a solvent, the polyphenol/polyphenol alkoxylated weight ratio as a solvent being less than 2, preferably less than or equal to 1.5, more preferably less than or equal to 1, even more preferably less than or equal to 0.5; and (b) removing the residual alkoxylating agent.

A method of producing carbon fibers includes (a) treating lignin to produce a precursor lignin having an increased uniformity. The increased uniformity is defined by (i) an increased linear structure as evidenced by an increased percentage of linkages selected from uncondensed β-O-4′ interunitery linkages or condensed β-5′ linkages, (ii) a reduced polydispersity index (PDI), or (iii) an increased amount of multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonding relative to the lignin prior to treating. In addition, the method includes (b) forming precursor fibers from the precursor lignin. Further, the method includes (c) subjecting the precursor fibers to thermostabilization or carbonization to produce the carbon fibers.

A method of producing carbon fibers includes (a) treating lignin to produce a precursor lignin having an increased uniformity. The increased uniformity is defined by (i) an increased linear structure as evidenced by an increased percentage of linkages selected from uncondensed β-O-4′ interunitery linkages or condensed β-5′ linkages, (ii) a reduced polydispersity index (PDI), or (iii) an increased amount of multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonding relative to the lignin prior to treating. In addition, the method includes (b) forming precursor fibers from the precursor lignin. Further, the method includes (c) subjecting the precursor fibers to thermostabilization or carbonization to produce the carbon fibers.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a shaped body comprising lignin which may be further processed into intermediate carbon fibers and finally also carbon fibers. Uses of said fibers are also disclosed. The present invention addresses the problem of lignin leaching into a precipitation bath. The solution to this problem is a novel method for minimizing the loss of lignin through the addition of certain salts into the precipitation bath.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a shaped body comprising lignin which may be further processed into intermediate carbon fibers and finally also carbon fibers. Uses of said fibers are also disclosed. The present invention addresses the problem of lignin leaching into a precipitation bath. The solution to this problem is a novel method for minimizing the loss of lignin through the addition of certain salts into the precipitation bath.