Preparation of pitch from pyrolized fuel oil by electron beam radiation and its melt-electrospinning property

Spinnable pitch for melt-electrospinning was obtained from pyrolized fuel oil by electron beam (E-beam) radiation treatment. The modified pitch was characterized by measuring its elemental composition, softening point, viscosity, molecular weight, and spinnability. The softening point and viscosity properties of the modified pitch were influenced by reforming types (heat or E-beam radiation treatment) and the use of a catalyst. The softening point and molecular weight were increased in proportion to absorbed doses of E-beam radiation and added $AlCl_3$ due to the formation of pitch by free radical polymerization. The range of the molecular weight distribution of the modified pitch becomes narrow with better spinning owing to the generated aromatic compounds with similar molecular weight. The diameter of melt-electrospun pitch fibers under applied power of 20 kV decreased 53% ($4.7{\pm}0.9{\mu}m$) compared to that of melt-spun pitch fibers ($10.2{\pm}2.8{\mu}m$). It is found that E-beam treatment for reforming could be a promising method in terms of time-savings and cost-effectiveness, and the melt-electrospinning method is suitable for the preparation of thinner fibers than those obtained with the conventional melt-spinning method.