Air-blowing of anthracene oil for carbon precursors

Abstract This study is concerned with the conversion of anthracene oil into products with potential applications as precursors of graphitizable carbons. Air-blowing of anthracene oil induces polymerization/condensation reactions between its components. The extent of these reactions depends on temperature (250–325°C), time (5–15 h), air-flow (60–120 l h −1 kg −1 ) and reactor load. Anthracene oil conversion was monitored from the residue obtained by thermogravimetric analysis at 350°C, toluene insolubles and the carbon yield of resultant products. Differences in composition and pyrolysis behavior were established by elemental analysis, Fourier transformed infrared spectra and thermogravimetric analysis. Variations in the reactivity of the main components of the anthracene oil were studied by gas chromatography. 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 of 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 into carbon precursors with potential industrial applications.