Effect of hot pressing parameters on the structure and properties of water-soluble phenolic based carbon fiber paper

Carbon fiber paper is a key electrode material, but its production often uses harmful solvents. This study presents an eco-friendly alternative employing water-soluble phenolic resin (WPF) and optimizes the critical hot-pressing process. The effects of temperature and pressure on the material's structure and properties were systematically investigated. The graphitization degree, electrical conductivity, and compressive strength all showed a distinct non-linear relationship with the parameters, characterized by an initial decrease followed by an increase... An optimal temperature of 140°C yielded a sample with 61.04% graphitization, 6.38 mΩ·cm² resistivity, and 1.65 MPa compressive strength. Similarly, an optimal pressure of 8 MPa produced a sample with 57.47% graphitization and 7.64 mΩ·cm² resistivity, while air permeability exhibited an inverse trend. This work demonstrates that hot-pressing optimization is a highly effective strategy for enhancing the performance of eco-friendly carbon paper, providing valuable insights for industrial application.