Air-blowing of anthracene oil for carbon precursors

This study is concerned with the conversion of anthracene oil into products with potential applications as precursors of graphitizable carbons. Air-bl owing of anthracene oil induces polymerization/condensation reactions betwe en its components. The extent of these reactions depends on temperature (25 0-325 degrees C), time (5-15 h), air-how (60-120 1 h(-1) kg(-1)) and reacto r load. Anthracene oil conversion was monitored from the residue obtained b y thermogravimetric analysis at 350 degrees C, toluene insolubles and the c arbon yield of resultant products. Differences in composition and pyrolysis behavior were established by elemental analysis, Fourier transformed infra red spectra and thermogravimetric analysis. Variations in the reactivity of the main components of the anthracene oil were studied by gas chromatograp hy. The influence of the experimental conditions on the graphitizability of the carbons obtained from the reaction products was also assessed. All the variables have a significant influence on the composition and properties o f the resultant products, so a great variety of products can be obtained by modifying or combining the process variables. The results suggest that air -blowing could be a suitable process for the conversion of anthracene oil i nto carbon precursors with potential industrial applications. (C) 2000 Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.