Challenges and opportunities in Mesocarbon microbeads: From synthesis to utilization

Mesocarbon microbeads (MCMBs) shows excellent physical and chemical properties due to its unique spherical shape, parallel stacking of molecular layers, and high packing density, so is widely used in many fields. However, so far, there are still many problems in the preparation and application of MCMBs, such as low yield, easy to fuse between spheres, uneven particle size of MCMBs, and not easy to separate from mother liquor. This review systematically outlines the historical development and underlying formation mechanisms of MCMBs, with particular emphasis on the influence of precursor composition, thermal treatment conditions, and mesophase transformation kinetics. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive analysis of current preparation techniques, including pyrolysis of aromatic hydrocarbons, solvent-mediated methods, and catalytic approaches, while discussing their respective advantages and limitations. Additionally, the diverse applications of MCMBs in energy storage, conductive fillers, adsorbents, and other emerging fields are thoroughly examined. Finally, we summarize the challenges and future prospects of MCMBs nowadays, hoping to provide a reference for the research in this field.