Enhancing the carbon yield of cellulose based carbon fibres with ionic liquid impregnates

We report the use of ionic liquids as novel impregnates to enhance the carbon yield of cellulose based carbon fibres. It was found that ILs which contain a phosphate anion improved the carbon yield the most, with a 50% increase in carbon yield reported. Additionally the use of the ionic liquid impregnate lowered the depolymerization temperature by 70 °C, which reflects significant potential saving in the energy costs of carbonization.