Mechanism of co-pyrolysis of coal-tar pitch with polyacrylonitrile

Abstract Co-pyrolysis of coal-tar pitch with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and PAN oxidized in air at 300 °C was studied as a possible way of manufacturing of carbonaceous materials enriched in nitrogen. The thermal behaviour of components and blends was evaluated by thermogravimetry and optical microscopy of solid residues. The transformation of nitrogen functional groups on co-treatment was monitored using elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Oxidized polymer behaved as an inert during co-pyrolysis. In contrast, strong interactions of unoxidized PAN with pitch could be deduced from enhanced residue yield and extensive deterioration of the optical textu…