Graphitizable pitch from pine resin enables bulk graphite from terpenes.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Biomass-derived carbons typically lack the molecular structure for graphitization due to insufficient aromatic condensation.
• Petroleum-derived pitches are traditionally used for graphitizable materials, but sustainable alternatives are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a strategy for converting terpene-based biomass into a graphitizable pitch.
• To establish a molecular design principle for biomass-derived graphitizable materials.

Main Methods:

• Chemically guided molecular restructuring of pine-resin-derived terpenes.
• Sequential deoxygenation-aromatization and controlled oligomerization.
• Thermal analysis and polarized optical microscopy to confirm mesophase formation.

Main Results:

• Successfully produced an aromatic pitch with low heteroatom content from biomass.
• Demonstrated thermoplastic behavior and mesophase formation during heating.
• Obtained graphite with crystallinity comparable to natural graphite after high-temperature treatment.

Conclusions:

• A novel chemical strategy enables the creation of true graphitizable pitches from terpene-based biomass.
• This approach overcomes the inherent limitations of biomass carbonization for producing graphitic materials.
• Establishes a molecular design principle for sustainable, biomass-derived graphitizable feedstocks.