Abstract
In this study, coke-derived carbon nanomaterials were synthesized via heat treatment using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) tube furnace in the range of 1000–1200 °C under an inert nitrogen atmosphere, and their structural and surface properties were systematically investigated. Petroleum coke has emerged as a promising low-cost carbon precursor to produce advanced carbon nanomaterials. The effect of high temperature on the evolution of carbon structure, porosity, and surface chemistry was analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) techniques. The results reveal a temperature-dependent transformation from a disordered carbon structure to a more ordered and compact morphology. Increasing temperature promotes devolatilization and structural rearrangement, leading to the formation of condensed aromatic domains and partial graphitization. Modern microscopic analyses confirm progressive densification and improved structural ordering at elevated temperatures. BET analysis shows that the specific surface area and pore volume significantly increase at 1100 °C, indicating the development of a more defined porous structure, while further temperature increases to 1200 °C result in partial pore collapse. As advanced materials, carbon nanomaterials made from coke are useful for sensing systems, energy storage, adsorption, catalysis, cleaning up the environment, supercapacitors, batteries, modifying road materials, and other uses.