Mesophase pitch compositions from aromatic feedstocks, methods for their preparation and their use

The mesophase pitch composition may be obtained by subjecting an isotropic pitch composition to a heat treatment. In some embodiments, a method of producing a mesophase asphalt composition can include heat treating an isotropic asphalt composition comprising two or more aromatic classes linked between each aromatic class with at least one methylene bridge at a temperature of about 300 DEG C to about 500 DEG C to produce a mesophase asphalt composition, the mesophase pitch composition has a weight average molecular weight of about 300 g/mol to about 2,000 g/mol, a softening point of about 100 DEG C or greater, a mesophase content of about 0.01% to 100% by volume, based on the total volume of the mesophase pitch composition, and a micro-carbon residue of about 25% by weight or greater, based on the total weight of the mesophase pitch composition; wherein the heat treatment causes cyclization between at least two of the two or more aromatic classes to form one or more 5-membered and/or 6-membered rings. 可以通过使各向同