Carbonization and graphitization reactions of carbonaceous molecules leading to the various carbon material of important application are reviewed from the viewpoint of physical organic chemistry in spite of their complexity and physical nature. The carbonization reactions consist of polymeric condensation and solidification. Some systems produce the mesophase (intermediate phase), a kind of liquid crystal state, which often determines the structure, the orientation, and crystalinity of graphite-like crystallinite and of the semicoke. The mesophase is reviewed rather extensively as for its formation, structure, and properties.
Analyses of the reaction scheme reveal the factors influencing the formation of mesophase and provides the some ideas for the design of carbonization. Catalytic and cocarbonization processes are introduced based on such analyses to modify the reaction for the production of desirable carbon material.
Chemical modification of heavy carbonaceous material such as pitch and coals is overviewed in relation with carbonaceous resource problems.
View full abstract