Structural characterization of milled mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers

• Published in: Carbon (New York) 1998-11, Vol.36 (11), p.1633-1641
• Main Authors: Endo, M, Kim, C, Karaki, T, Kasai, T, Matthews, M.J, Brown, S.D.M, Dresselhaus, M.S, Tamaki, T, Nishimura, Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A. Carbon fibers; Applied sciences; B. Carbonization; B. Graphitization; Building materials. Ceramics. Glasses; C. Raman spectroscopy; Ceramic and carbon fibers; Ceramic industries; Chemical industry and chemicals; D. Microstructure; Exact sciences and technology; Technical ceramics
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/S0008-6223(98)00157-2

The microstructure of milled mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers (mMPCFs) that have been developed as an anode material for Li ion batteries has been studied as a function of heat treatment temperature (HTT) mainly by Raman spectroscopy, and the results obtained are compared with those by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations. As a functional material, SEM measurements indicate that these mMPCFs have a characteristic controlled cross-sectional morphology like a bamboo skin structure which is different to that of conventional mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers for composite use. The mMPCFs with HTT>2000°C clearly show the 110 and 112 XRD peaks indicating the development of three-dimensional graphite stacking from a turbostratic structure. The mMPCFs heat-treated at temperatures >2000°C contain larger domain sizes along their longitudinal surface that those along the periphery of the fiber, as demonstrated by microprobe Raman scattering experiments. These mMPCFs could be promising as a functional material for applications, such as to Li ion batteries, but not for composite applications.