Effect of the structure and properties for carbon graphite materials with oleic acid modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Carbon graphite materials inevitably produce more internal microcracks and pores during the carbonization process, which makes the materials have lower mechanical properties and poor frictional properties, limiting their applications. In this paper, the modification of coal tar pitch using oleic acid modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can increase the dispersion of MWCNTs, change the carbonization process of the pitch and optimize the microstructure of the composite. The results showed that the dispersibility of oleic acid modified MWCNTs was significantly improved, and they could act as nucleating agents in the carbonization process of coal tar pitch to improve the graphitization degree and carbonization yield of the pitch. When the content of oleic acid modified MWCNTs was 0.1%, the compressive and flexural strengths of the modified carbon graphite material reached the maximum, which increased by 54.81% and 64.43%, respectively, compared with the pristine material, and led to a 46.47% reduction in wear rate. This work provides a new idea for the development of higher performance electrical contact materials.