A combination of analytical techniques was used to follow the mesophase evolution of petroleum pitches in the solid phase. The samples were characterized by matrix assisted laser desorption and time of flight analysis by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), high field 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR), low field ¹H NMR, electron spin resonance (EPR), polarized optical microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). MALDI-TOF-MS revealed an oligomeric distribution of molecular weights in the pitch: monomeric (m/z 200 to 400), dimeric (m/z 400 to 650), trimeric (m/z 650 to 950) and tetrameric (m/z 950 to 1600), an essential factor for the production of carbon fibers, among other advanced composite of carbon. Relaxation time (T1) studies permitted to observe two large areas: the aromatics and the mesophases. These results also showed that the heating time increases the mesophasic area. Also through direct and non-destructive 13C NMR measurements, we obtained the content of aromatic and aliphatic carbons, as well as the degree of protonation of these carbons. Optical microscopy with polarized light showed the interfaces between the anisotropic and isotropic regions as well as the process of coalescence of mesophase. The results obtained by the other techniques corroborate the MALDI-TOF-MS and NMR results.
mesophase evolution; heat-treated solid petroleum pitches; MALDI-TOF-MS; NMR; electron spin resonance; polarized optical microscopy; thermogravimetric analysis
