Preparation of anisotropic mesophase pitch by carbonization under vacuum

Anisotropic mesophase pitch of high solubility and low melting temperature was prepared from petroleum pitch by carbonizing under vacuum conditions at 430° C for 5 h. The solubility and melting temperature were 55 wt% in quinoline and 270° C respectively, at complete development of anisotropic mesophase pitch. This solubility is much higher than that of mesophase pitch from the same feedstock using refluxing and gas blowing conditions. Yields of the mesophase pitch of complete anisotropic development were 60 wt% under vacuum. The structure of these mesophase pitches were analysed in terms of preparative procedures which create high solubility of a completly anisotropic material.