Carbon Fiber(CF)

The global demand on carbon fiber composites was valued at roughly US$10.8 billion in 2009, which declined 8–10% from the previous year. It is expected to reach US$13.2 billion by 2012 and to increase to US$18.6 billion by 2015 with an annual growth rate of 7% or more. Strongest demands come from aircraft & aerospace, wind energy, as well as from the automotive industry with optimized resin systems.

Microelectrodes[

Carbon fibers are used for fabrication of carbon-fiber microelectrodes. In this application typically a single carbon fiber with diameter of 5–7 μm is sealed in a glass capillary. At the tip the capillary is either sealed with epoxy and polished to make carbon-fiber disk microelectrode or the fiber is cut to a length of 75–150 μm to make carbon-fiber cylinder electrode. Carbon-fiber microelectrodes are used either in amperometry or fast-scan cyclic voltammetry for detection of biochemical signaling.

Catalysis

PAN-based nanofibers can efficiently catalyze the first step in the making of synthetic gasoline (not to be confused with syngas) and other energy-rich products out of carbon dioxide. The process uses a “co-catalyst” system in three steps: (1) EMIM–CO2 complex formation; (2) adsorption of EMIM–CO2 complex on reduced carbon atoms and (3) carbon monoxide formation.

The first step uses an ionic liquid, while graphitic carbon structures doped with other reactive atoms replaced silver to produce the final output. The carbon nanofiber catalyst exhibited negligible overpotential (0.17 V) for carbon dioxide reduction and more than an order of magnitude higher current density compared with silver under similar experimental conditions. The reduction derived from the reduced carbons rather than to electronegative nitrogen dopants. The performance came from the nanofibrillar structure and high binding energy of key intermediates to the carbon nanofiber surfaces.

Flexible Heating

Known for its conductivity, carbon fibers can carry very low currents on their own. When woven into larger fabrics, they can be used to reliably deliver infrared heating in applications requiring flexible heating elements and can easily sustain temperatures past 100 °C due to their physical properties. Many examples of this type of application can be seen in 'DIY' or Do it Yourself heated articles of clothing and blankets. Due to its chemical inertness, it can be used relatively safely amongst most fabrics and materials; however, shorts caused by the material folding back on itself will lead to increased heat production and can lead to fire.