Process of making carbon fibers from compositions including esterified lignin and poly(lactic acid)

A method of making carbon fibers, the method comprising:

• spinning fibers comprising an esterified lignin composition, to give spun fibers, the esterified lignin composition comprising
• lignin comprising at least one esterified —OH group, wherein the esterified —OH group has the structure —OC(O)R, wherein each R is independently a C1-C30 hydrocarbyl group, and
• poly(lactic acid);
• and
• heating the spun fibers to obtain the carbon fibers, wherein the carbon fibers comprise
• an average surface area of about 300 m2/g to about 700 m2/g;
• and
• an average pore volume of about 0.100 cm3/g to about 0.500 cm3/g.

A method of making carbon fibers, the method comprising:

• spinning fibers comprising an esterified lignin composition, to give spun fibers, the esterified lignin composition comprising
• lignin comprising at least one esterified —OH group, wherein the esterified —OH group has the structure —OC(O)R, wherein each R is independently a C1-C10 alkyl group, and
• poly(lactic acid),
• wherein the weight ratio of the esterified lignin to the poly(lactic acid) is about 3:1;
• and
• heating the spun fibers to obtain the carbon fibers.