Semi-quantitative analysis of the structural evolution of mesophase pitch-based carbon foams by Raman and FTIR spectroscopy

• Semi-quantitative Raman and FTIR analysis reveals structural evolution of mesophase pitch-based carbon foams at each preparation stage. • Ball milling pretreatment yields uniform pore distribution and good properties in carbon foams. • Liquid phase extraction produces carbon foams with highest graphitization, best compression resistance (2.47 MPa), highest thermal conductivity (64.47 W/(m·K)), and lowest electrical resistance (13.02 μΩ·m). • Combined spectroscopic and microscopic characterization enables controlled preparation of high-performance carbon foams.