Polyacrylonitrile

(C₃H₃N)ₙ

IUPAC: Poly(1-cyanoethylene)

CAS: 25014-41-9

Overview

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is the primary precursor for carbon fiber production, accounting for about 90% of all carbon fiber made.

Composition

Element Symbol Atoms Atomic Mass
Hydrogen H 3 1.0080
Carbon C 3 12.0110
Nitrogen N 1 14.0070

Elemental Composition

H
Hydrogen ×3
5.7%
C
Carbon ×3
67.9%
N
Nitrogen ×1
26.4%

Uses

  • • Carbon fiber precursor
  • • Textile fiber (acrylic)
  • • Filtration membrane

Fun Facts

  • ✦ About 90% of all carbon fiber in the world starts as polyacrylonitrile

Safety

  • ⚠ Releases HCN on combustion

Properties

Type
polymer
State
solid
Molar Mass
53.06 g/mol
Density
1.1840 g/cm³
Melting Point
300.0 °C
Solubility
insoluble

Related Compounds

Cellulose

(C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙ

Epoxy Resin DGEBA

C₂₁H₂₄O₄

Kevlar

(C₁₄H₁₀N₂O₂)ₙ

Nomex

(C₁₄H₁₀N₂O₂)ₙ

Nylon-6,6

(C₁₂H₂₂N₂O₂)ₙ

Phenol-Formaldehyde Resin

(C₇H₆O₂)ₙ

Polycarbonate

(C₁₆H₁₄O₃)ₙ

Polyethylene

(C₂H₄)ₙ

Polyethylene Terephthalate

(C₁₀H₈O₄)ₙ

Polyhydroxybutyrate

(C₄H₆O₂)ₙ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Polyacrylonitrile?
Polyacrylonitrile ((C₃H₃N)ₙ) is a polymer compound with the IUPAC name Poly(1-cyanoethylene).
What is the molecular weight of Polyacrylonitrile?
Polyacrylonitrile has a molar mass of 53.06 g/mol.
What state is Polyacrylonitrile at room temperature?
Polyacrylonitrile is a solid at room temperature.
Is Polyacrylonitrile organic or inorganic?
Polyacrylonitrile is classified as an inorganic compound.
What elements make up Polyacrylonitrile?
Polyacrylonitrile ((C₃H₃N)ₙ) is composed of Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N).