The effect of pyrolysis on the chemical, thermal and rheological properties of pitch.

Pitch-based carbon fibers are of considerable interest as high-performance materials. There are reports over the last several decades detailing (i) methods of improving pitch-based carbon fiber performance, and (ii) reducing the cost of production novel processing techniques. However, there remain considerable challenges in producing high-performance pitch-based carbon fibers consistently on an industrial scale.

1H MAS NMR (magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance) techniques for the quantitative determination of hydrogen types in solid catalysts and supports.

Distinct hydrogen species are present in important inorganic solids such as zeolites, silicoaluminophosphates (SAPOs), mesoporous materials, amorphous silicas, and aluminas. These H species include hydrogens associated with acidic sites such as Al(OH)Si, non-framework aluminum sites, silanols, and surface functionalities. Direct and quantitative methodology to identify, measure, and monitor these hydrogen species are key to monitoring catalyst activity, optimizing synthesis conditions, tracking post-synthesis structural modifications, and in the preparation of novel catalytic materials.