Publications
Showing 26 results for Author: Frederic Vautard
Jan, 2026
Journal
Comparative Analysis of Radial and Random Microstructures of Mesophase Pitch Carbon Fibers
Carbon fibers (CF) with radial and random microstructures are produced. These fibers are subjected to identical treatment before being mechanically tested and analyzed with Weibull analysis, with the results revealing a statistically significant difference in tensile strengths of 2.23 GPa for random CF and 1.69 GPa for radial CF. Raman mapping probed the crystalline struct…
Jun, 2025
Journal
Interpretation of wide-angle x-ray diffraction patterns from mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers – a simulation and experimental study
Carbon fiber is a critical material in a wide range of industries, where it is highly valued for its high specific strength/stiffness, excellent wear resistance, efficient electrical and thermal transport properties, chemical resistance, and low coefficient of thermal expansion. The properties of a specific carbon fiber are closely tied to its structural characteristics at…
Jan, 2025
Journal
Additive Manufacturing with Cellulose‐Based Composites: Materials, Modeling, and Applications
Recent advances in large-scale additive manufacturing (AM) with polymer-based composites have enabled efficient production of high-performance materials. Cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs) have emerged as bio-based feedstocks due to their exceptional strength and sustainability. However, challenges such as hornification and poor dispersion in polymer matrices still limit large…
Dec, 2024
Journal
Molecular Origin of Viscoelasticity and Influence of Methylation in Mesophase Pitch
The viscoelastic and thermomechanical properties of pitches are responsible for their melt-spinning behavior, which is a critical step for manufacturing high-performance pitch-based carbon fibers. Here, we systematically explore the impact of methyl group modifications on the viscoelastic and thermal properties of mesophase pitches. We employ a range of atomistic modeling…
Jun, 2024
Journal
Effects of mercerization and fiber sizing of coir fiber for utilization in polypropylene composites
The use of natural fibers as an alternative to synthetic fibers for reinforcing composites is increasing. However, the poor interfacial adhesion between natural fibers and polymer matrices limits their applications. Several approaches have been considered to improve fiber-matrix adhesion via chemical and/or physical treatment. However, the effectiveness of these treatments…
May, 2024
Journal
Mesophase pitch-based high performance carbon fiber production using coal extracts from mild direct coal liquefaction
Mild direct coal liquefaction (autogenous pressure, no catalyst, no H2 gas) of Springfield coal in fluid catalytic cracking decant oil is shown to effectively produce coal extract precursors to spinnable mesophase pitch. This work demonstrates that the coal extract can be thermally treated to obtain mesophase pitch in a facile one-step process, bypassing the production of…
Apr, 2024
Journal
Detailed Characterization of Vitrinite-Rich Subbituminous and Bituminous Coals for Utilization in Carbon Fiber Precursor Production
Chemical structures of candidate coals (one subbituminous coal from the Powder River Basin and three bituminous Eastern US coals) were examined for potential low-cost carbon fiber precursor production. The structural evaluation examined the carbon skeleton (13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM)), the heteroatom fu…
Apr, 2024
Journal
Analysis of the turbostratic structures in PAN-based carbon fibers with wide-angle x-ray diffraction
Carbon fiber (CF) is a versatile material renowned for its excellent mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based CFs dominate the market in part due to their high tensile strength, rendering them suitable for structural applications in a wide variety of applications ranging from sporting goods to aerospace. Over five decades of commercial…
Mar, 2024
Journal
Large-scale atomistic model construction of subbituminous and bituminous coals for solvent extraction simulations with reactive molecular dynamics
Large-scale atomistic models for complex polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon systems help understand the chemical properties and behaviors of complex feedstocks such as coal or petroleum. However, the development and utilization of large-scale models remain limited due to the difficulty in achieving the varied structural characteristics necessary to capture stochastic nature o…