Study of mesophase pitch based carbon fibers: Structural changes as a function of anisotropic content

This study investigates the synthesis of mesophase pitch (MP) with varying anisotropic (mesophase) content of 19–74% by thermal soaking of isotropic coal tar pitch for different time intervals at 410 °C without using any catalyst/additive and pre-treatment processing. These mesophase pitches were converted into continuous pitch fibers by melt spinning process, then stabilized in air and carbonized at 1000 °C to obtain the carbon fibers. The anisotropic (mesophase) content increases with increasing soaking time period from 11 to 15 h and as a result, alter the various microstructural properties of carbon fibers. Physio-chemical and microstructural properties of prepared MP were systematically studied with TGA, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XRD and 1H‐NMR. The overall result suggested enhancement in aromaticity and naphthenic hydrogen with increased anisotropy. Rheological studies were carried out to understand the spinning behavior of MPs. Furthermore, transformation of mesophase pitch into carbon fibers at 1000 °C, showed a decline in the microcrystal properties due to the evolution of gases which create disorderness in the lattice structure. It was observed that the increased anisotropic content improves the microstructure of the mesophase pitch and their resultant carbon fibers as the microstructure attained during mesophase formation is retained during its carbonization. [Display omitted] •Spinnable mesophase pitch (MP) was prepared without any catalyst or additive.•Mesophase (anisotropic) content varied from 19% to 74% with thermal soaking time.•Effect of anisotropic content on microstructure and rheological properties.•MP transformed into pitch fibers and converted into carbon fibers at 1000 °C.•Anisotropic content increases the tensile properties of carbon fibers.