Development of Mesophase Prepared from Coal-tar Pitch

Optically anisotropic liquid crystals termed“mesophase”appear in the isotropic matrix during the process of carbonization of coal-tar pitch.In this paper,the development of the mesophase prepared from coal-tar pitch is reviewed.Firstly,the mechanism and conditions of forming mesophase is introduced.Then,the latest progress of growth thermodynamic and kinetics models of mesophse are given.The technologies of separation mesophase from isotropic matrix and testing of chemical composition and structure of mesophase are also summarized. The effects of chemical composition of coal-tar pitch,condition of heat treatment and various additives on the forma- tion and growth of mesophase are discussed.Finally the trend of development in research on mesophase prepared from coal-tar pitch is also predicted.