Effect of reduction on graphitization behavior of mesophase pitch-derived carbon fibers

Chemically reduced solid-state mesophase pitch carbon fibers below 1000 °C in a flow of hydrogen gas were treated up to 3000 °C in an argon atmosphere in order to evaluate the effect of hydrogen on the graphitization behavior. Major phenomena observed during the reduction process are chemical transformation from an ether to a hydroxyl group (corresponding to the rupture of the C-O-C bond) and their subsequent evolution as gases. Finally, oversupplied hydrogen might be utilized to satisfy the dangling bond. For the sample heat treated at 3000 °C, the low crystallinity indicates that hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to the end planes of graphitic layers act as an effective barrier to crystallite growth.