Disclosed are methods for preparing a lignin/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fiber and for preparing a lignin/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber. The methods can comprise adding a dope of lignin and PVA or a dope of lignin and PAN to a coagulation bath containing a solvent comprising one or more components, wherein the one or more components are present in the solvent in concentrations based on the hydrogen bonding character (f.sub.H) of the solvent, the polar character (f.sub.P) of the solvent, and the dispersive character (f.sub.D) of the solvent; and gel-spinning a lignin/PVA fiber or a lignin/PAN fiber from the coagulation bath.

Disclosed are methods for preparing a lignin/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fiber and for preparing a lignin/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber. The methods can comprise adding a dope of lignin and PVA or a dope of lignin and PAN to a coagulation bath containing a solvent comprising one or more components, wherein the one or more components are present in the solvent in concentrations based on the hydrogen bonding character (f.sub.H) of the solvent, the polar character (f.sub.P) of the solvent, and the dispersive character (f.sub.D) of the solvent; and gel-spinning a lignin/PVA fiber or a lignin/PAN fiber from the coagulation bath.

An electrode for an electrochemical sensor device. The electrode comprises a substrate, a carbon nanofibre layer and an enzyme immobilised on the carbon nanofibre layer. The carbon nanofibre layer comprises mesoporous carbon nanofibers and the enzyme is immobilised in the pores of the mesoporous carbon nanofibers. The carbon nanofibre layer is formed from lignin and a second polymeric material, wherein the second polymeric material is immiscible with lignin, through a process of stabilisation and carbonisation which provides a conductive carbon nanofibre framework comprising mesopores suitable for immobilisation of the enzyme. The enzyme immobilised in the carbon nanofibre layer can function by interacting with a target compound or biomarker in a sample solution applied to the electrode which produces a measurable electrochemical change in the electrode. A method of forming the electrode, a sensor device comprising the electrode, a use of a mesoporous carbon nanofibre material for immobilising an enzyme in a sensor device and a method of detecting a target compound or biomarker using the electrode are also disclosed. An electrode for an electrochemical sensor device. The electrode comprises a substrate, a carbon nanofibre layer and an enzyme immobilised on the carbon nanofibre layer. The carbon nanofibre layer comprises mesoporous carbon nanofibers and the enzyme is immobilised in the pores of the mesoporous carbon nanofibers. The carbon nanofibre layer is formed from lignin and a second polymeric material, wherein the second polymeric material is immiscible with lignin, through a process of stabilisation and carbonisation which provides a conductive carbon nanofibre framework comprising mesopores suitable for immobilisation of the enzyme. The enzyme immobilised in the carbon nanofibre layer can function by interacting with a target compound or biomarker in a sample solution applied to the electrode which produces a measurable electrochemical change in the electrode. A method of forming the electrode, a sensor device comprising the electrode, a use of a mesoporous carbon nanofibre material for immobilising an enzyme in a sensor device and a method of detecting a target compound or biomarker using the electrode are also disclosed.

An electrode for an electrochemical sensor device. The electrode comprises a substrate, a carbon nanofibre layer and an enzyme immobilised on the carbon nanofibre layer. The carbon nanofibre layer comprises mesoporous carbon nanofibers and the enzyme is immobilised in the pores of the mesoporous carbon nanofibers. The carbon nanofibre layer is formed from lignin and a second polymeric material, wherein the second polymeric material is immiscible with lignin, through a process of stabilisation and carbonisation which provides a conductive carbon nanofibre framework comprising mesopores suitable for immobilisation of the enzyme. The enzyme immobilised in the carbon nanofibre layer can function by interacting with a target compound or biomarker in a sample solution applied to the electrode which produces a measurable electrochemical change in the electrode. A method of forming the electrode, a sensor device comprising the electrode, a use of a mesoporous carbon nanofibre material for immobilising an enzyme in a sensor device and a method of detecting a target compound or biomarker using the electrode are also disclosed. An electrode for an electrochemical sensor device. The electrode comprises a substrate, a carbon nanofibre layer and an enzyme immobilised on the carbon nanofibre layer. The carbon nanofibre layer comprises mesoporous carbon nanofibers and the enzyme is immobilised in the pores of the mesoporous carbon nanofibers. The carbon nanofibre layer is formed from lignin and a second polymeric material, wherein the second polymeric material is immiscible with lignin, through a process of stabilisation and carbonisation which provides a conductive carbon nanofibre framework comprising mesopores suitable for immobilisation of the enzyme. The enzyme immobilised in the carbon nanofibre layer can function by interacting with a target compound or biomarker in a sample solution applied to the electrode which produces a measurable electrochemical change in the electrode. A method of forming the electrode, a sensor device comprising the electrode, a use of a mesoporous carbon nanofibre material for immobilising an enzyme in a sensor device and a method of detecting a target compound or biomarker using the electrode are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing precursor yarn comprising lignin, which may be further processed into intermediate carbon fibers and finally also carbon fibers. It also relates to carbon fibers and uses of said fibers. Said method involves applying a water-free spin finish.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing precursor yarn comprising lignin, which may be further processed into intermediate carbon fibers and finally also carbon fibers. It also relates to carbon fibers and uses of said fibers. Said method involves applying a water-free spin finish.

The invention relates to a method for producing a precursor fiber which is suitable for further processing into carbon and activated carbon fibers. The method is a wet spinning method in which a spinning solution consisting of lignin or lignin derivatives, cellulose carbamate, and alkali lye are pressed through the holes of a nozzle and introduced directly into a coagulation bath. The precursor fibers falling into the bath can undergo different additional method steps: they can be stretched, post-treated, dried at an increased temperature, and wound. Because the precursor fibers constitute an inexpensive starting material, the precursor fibers can be used in connection with the production of carbon and activated carbon fibers.

The invention relates to a method for producing a precursor fiber which is suitable for further processing into carbon and activated carbon fibers. The method is a wet spinning method in which a spinning solution consisting of lignin or lignin derivatives, cellulose carbamate, and alkali lye are pressed through the holes of a nozzle and introduced directly into a coagulation bath. The precursor fibers falling into the bath can undergo different additional method steps: they can be stretched, post-treated, dried at an increased temperature, and wound. Because the precursor fibers constitute an inexpensive starting material, the precursor fibers can be used in connection with the production of carbon and activated carbon fibers.

The present disclosure teaches a method of processing chitin, including providing a source of chitin; and pyrolyzing at least a portion of the source of chitin using a microwave plasma. Pyrolyzing includes producing a nanostructured carbon material including at least one of diamond, ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD), graphite, and graphene. Compositions of matter and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

The present disclosure teaches a method of processing chitin, including providing a source of chitin; and pyrolyzing at least a portion of the source of chitin using a microwave plasma. Pyrolyzing includes producing a nanostructured carbon material including at least one of diamond, ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD), graphite, and graphene. Compositions of matter and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.