Energies, Vol. 15, Pages 7041: Optimization of Molecular Composition Distribution of Slurry Oil by Supercritical Fluid Extraction to Improve the Structure and Performance of Mesophase Pitch (Energies)

The composition distribution of slurry oil has a significant impact on the structure and performance of the mesophase. In this study, supercritical fluid extraction oil (SFEO) and extraction components were extracted from two slurry oils (SLOs) using the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) technique. The fundamental properties and composition distribution of two SLOs and associated SFEOs were thoroughly investigated. Electron microscopy and spectroscopic techniques were employed to study the morphology and structures of mesophase pitch produced by carbonizing SLOs and their extraction components under the same conditions. The findings revealed that, compared to SLO–LH, SLO–SH has a higher proportion of 4–5 aromatic rings and a narrower hydrocarbon distribution range. In SLO–LH, O1, N1, and N1O1 molecules with long side chains and poor flatness make up the majority of the heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The distribution of CH compounds can be narrowed by using supercritical fluid extraction to efficiently separate various heteroatom-containing compounds with a higher condensation degree. After supercritical extraction, the mesophase content, texture distribution, and graphitization degree of the mesophase were improved. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with high planarity help polymer macromolecules stick together and build up in an orderly way. Heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with high condensation and low planarity, on the other hand, play an important role in the formation of mosaic structures.