Enhancing physical properties of mesophase pitch-based graphite fibers by modulating initial stabilization temperature

•The initial temperature in stabilization was controlled to optimize oxidative stabilization.•Changing the initial temperature governed the amount and distribution of oxygen in the stabilized fibers.•Stabilized fibers with the highest degree of polyaromatic structure after graphitization show the best tensile strength and modulus.•The optimal mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of the resulting graphite fiber were comparable to those of commercial fiber.