Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 February 2011
In order to produce a three-dimensional interconected graphitic network, foams were produced from carbon fiber precursor pitch and processed similarly to high modulus carbon fibers. Uniform size distributions of open spherical cell graphitic carbon foams were produced by microcellular foam blowing of anisotropic pitch using homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation. The widths of cell walls and ligaments were in the range of the diameters of pitch-based carbon fibers (7-10 μm) and possessed significant alignment of anisotropic pitch crystallites.