Effects of borane–pyridine complex on the mesophase pitch formation from decant oil Original Research Article

Mesophase pitches were prepared by adding 0.5 to 2 wt.% of a borane–pyridine complex to a decant oil in a tubing bomb reactor and heating in a fluidized-sand bath held at 500 °C for 30, 45, and 60 min, respectively. The mesophase pitches were analyzed using thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction and polarized-light microscopy. Growth and coalescence of mesophase spheres were hindered, while the crystallinity of mesophase pitches was increased when the materials were heat treated with the boron compound. The addition of the borane–pyridine complex also accelerated the coke formation.