Preparation of mesophase pitch doped with TiO2 or TiC particles

The co-pyrolysis of a petroleum residue with two different sources of titanium (tetrabutyl-ortotitanate (TBO) or titanium carbide nano-powder) was carried out to obtain mesophase pitches containing TiO₂ or TiC nanoparticles. Co-pyrolysis is an appropriate technique to achieve a good dispersion and low particle size. In the case of TBO, TiO₂ nanoparticles (5–20 nm) are observed, which are forming aggregates, the largest of them being 1–2 μm. In the case of TiC nano-particles, they are more difficult to disperse and larger aggregates are formed, although the final material is rather homogenous. The chemistry of pyrolysis for the production of doped and undoped mesophase pitches has been followed by means of solvent insolubility, XRD, XPS, FTIR and elemental analysis. They show evidences of promotion of the formation of mesophase in the presence of the titanium-containing particles, especially in the presence of TiO₂. The final materials can be of great value as precursors to produce high density titanium doped graphites for nuclear and space applications.