Mesophase pitch

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-007225",
  "term": "Mesophase pitch",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A type of pitch that has passed through a liquid crystal, or mesophase, state during its production from petroleum or coal tar precursors. It consists of a complex mixture of large, disc-like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that align to form an anisotropic fluid phase. This ordered liquid crystalline structure is retained upon solidification, making it a precursor for high-performance carbon fibers and graphite foams.",
  "subject": "Inorganic Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "bulk mesophase",
    "carbonaceous mesophase",
    "hydrocarbons",
    "isotropic",
    "mesogenic pitch",
    "mesophase",
    "pitch"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1995, 67, 473. 'Recommended terminology for the description of carbon as a solid (IUPAC Recommendations 1995)' on page 496 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199567030473)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/mesophase-pitch/"
}