Effects of Borane-Pyridine Complex on Mesophase Formation from Decant Oil

The mesophase pitch was prepared by adding 1~10 wt% of the borane-pyridine complex (BPC) to decant oil. It was prepared in a reactor held at $450^{\circ}C$ for 2 h in $N_2$ atmosphere. The mesophase pitches were analyzed using thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), melting point apparatus, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and polarized optical microscope. The coke yield, softening point, toluene insoluble, density and content of anisotropy in the mesophase pitches were increased with BPC contents. The XRD profiles did not show any effect of addition of BPC on the formation of mesophase pitch, while the crystallinity of mesophase pitches was increased when the materials were heat treated with boron compound.