At present

polyacrylonitrile and pitch are globally the most important starting materials for the preparation of carbon fibers. But due to high costs

these carbon fibers almost remain a product for use in high-end industrial applications. In the recent years

the interest in lignin as raw material for preparing carbon fibers is rapidly growing because of its low price

environmental friendly

abundant resources

wasting resource recycling. Besides

lignin has high carbon content and high carbon yield after carbonization. This review systematically summaries lignin-based carbon fibers prepared from different spinning methods and their mechanical properties. Finally

the future development of lignin-based carbon fibers is prospected.