Graphene materials from microwave-derived carbon precursors

Anthracene oil has been used as raw material for the production of carbon precursors via conventional and microwave technologies. Cokes with comparable characteristics have been obtained, suggesting that their structural order is primarily reliant on the precursor rather the heating method. However, microwave route is a more energy efficient process, achieving electricity savings of up to 60%. Furthermore, graphites produced from microwave-derived precursors show an excellent graphitization degree, which makes them appropriate starting resources for the synthesis of graphene-like materials with similar characteristics to those obtained from conventional means. Therefore, microwave-assisted heating approach appears to be a suitable and energy saving alternative for the production of carbon precursors. •Characterization of carbon precursors from conventional and microwave technologies.•Suitable cokes obtained with up to 60% electrical energy savings by microwave heating.•Microwave heating seems a promising route for the synthesis of graphene precursors.