The Formation and Characterization of Poly (p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) Pulps via Stirred Solutions

Abstract

PBO (p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) short fibers, attached fine fibrils that are called PBO pulp, may precipitate directly from stirred PBO/methanesulfonic acid (MSA) solution by the use of water coagulant in fibrous pulp form. Scanning electron micrographs show that the precipitated PBO pulps have a ribbon-like structure similar to Kevlar pulps. The thermalgravimetric analysis (TGA) show there were no appreciable mass changes until 550 °C in the air. The process yields PBO pulps with different specific surface areas (SSA) depending on the stirring speed, stirring time and the concentration of the PBO/MSA solution. High SSA PBO pulps can be produced by increasing the stirring speed, prolonging the stirring time and reducing the concentration of the PBO/MSA solution.