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

• Ball milling of mesophase pitch concentrates aromatic molecules, leading to uniform foaming and a carbon foam with uniform pore distribution and good properties. • Liquid phase extraction removes light components while retaining large aromatics, resulting in the largest graphitic planes after graphitization. • The carbon foam from liquid phase extraction exhibits the highest degree of graphitization, best compression resistance (2.47 MPa), highest thermal conductivity (64.47 W/(m·K)), and lowest electrical resistance (13.02 μΩ·m). • Semi-quantitative Raman and FTIR analysis combined with microscopic observations enables control over the preparation of mesophase pitch-derived carbon foams.