Influence of organic sulfur compounds and metals on mesophase formation

The influence of organic sulfur compounds and metals on the texture of the mesophase formed in pitch during the carbonization process was investigated by the addition of organic sulfur compounds and organometallic compounds to the cracked oil obtained from Khafji asphalt and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pitch. These pitches, containing sulfur and metals, have been examined by polarised light microscopy, and quinoline insolubles (QI), sulfur and metal contents were determined. The existence of either organic sulfur compounds or organometallic compounds in the pitch has no effect on mesophase texture. However, the coexistence of sulfur and metals (such as vanadium or nickel) has a great effect on mesophase texture. From these results, sulfur and metals coexisting in the pitch have a catalytic effect which activates the thermal decomposition and the thermal polymerization reactions of the pitch. Furthermore, the precursors of mesophase (β resin) are formed abundantly in the pitch by these reactions. These precursors promote the nucleation of mesophase spherules, and a large number of mesophase spherules are formed in the pitch at the same time. Therefore, these spherules coalesce with each other before growing to large spheres and lead to a fine mosaic texture.