Improved self-sintering mechanical performance of carbon blocks via the addition of multiple functional quinoline regulator in green petroleum coke

Abstract

The self-sintering of green petroleum coke (GPC) is an important method for the synthesis of high-strength graphite blocks owing to its relatively short production cycle. However, the volatilization of small molecular components in GPC inevitably results in the generation of pores and microcracks which seriously deteriorates the mechanical performance of carbon blocks. Herein, we report a facile quinoline-assisted composition regulation approach to prepare high mechanical strength carbon blocks using GPC as the starting material. Quinoline exhibits three major functions. Firstly, unideal organic volatiles can be effectively removed via quinoline extraction, thereby inhibiting the generation of pores and microcracks. Secondly, the presence of quinoline can promote the polymerization of aryl compounds due to its easy formation of free radicals. Thirdly, the interactions between the graphite layers are enhanced by the polarization of the aromatic rings, which clearly improves the mechanical performance of the carbon blocks. As a result, the obtained carbon block GPC/QI-17-C demonstrates an apparent density of 1.56 g·cm⁻³, flexural strength of 39.61 MPa and compressive strength of 136.98 MPa, which are 1.16, 3.39 and 4.53 times that of pristine GPC counterparts, respectively.