KINETICS OF MESOPHASE FORMATION IN A STIRRED-TANK REACTOR AND PROPERTIES OF THE PRODUCTS .5. CATALYSIS BY FERROCENE

The study is concerned with ferrocene as a catalyst precursor of an iron-catalyzed pyrolysis of pitch. Pyrolysis studies using a petroleum pitch showed the accelerating effect of iron, the limited lifetime of the catalyst iron due to poisoning by sulfur, and a strong influence of iron in the nucleation and the growth of mesophase spherulites. As compared to the pure pitch, the spherulites are nearly equal in size, and their surface is disturbed by segregated material containing iron and iron sulfide. The tendency for coalescence of these spherulites is strongly diminished.