What is Graphite?
Graphite is a grey crystalline allotropic form of carbon which occurs as a mineral in some rocks and can be made from coke. It is used as a solid lubricant, in pencils, and as a moderator in nuclear reactors. Graphite, archaically referred to as plumbago, is a crystalline form of carbon with atoms arranged in a hexagonal structure. It occurs naturally in this form and is the most stable form of carbon under standard conditions. Under high pressures and temperatures, it converts to diamond Graphite is a crystalline form of carbon. It consists of stacked layers of graphene. Graphite occurs naturally and is the most stable form of carbon under standard conditions. Synthetic and natural Graphite are consumed on a large scale (300 tons/year in 1989) for uses in pencils, lubricants, and electrodes. Under high pressures and temperatures, it converts to diamond. It is a good (but not excellent) conductor of heat and electricity.
Occurrence of Graphite
Graphite occurs in metamorphic rocks due to the reduction of sedimentary carbon compounds during metamorphism. It also occurs in igneous rocks and meteorites. Minerals associated with Graphite include quartz, calcite, micas and tourmaline. The principal export sources of mined Graphite are, in order of tonnage: China, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and Madagascar. In meteorites, Graphite occurs with troilite and silicate minerals. Tiny graphitic crystals in meteoritic iron are called Clifton sites. Some microscopic grains have distinctive isotopic compositions, indicating that they were formed before the Solar System. They are one of about 12 known types of minerals that predate the Solar System and have also been detected in molecular clouds. These minerals were formed in the ejecta when supernovae exploded or low to intermediate-sized stars expelled their outer envelopes late in their lives. Graphite may be the second or third oldest mineral in the Universe.
Structure of Graphite
Graphite consists of sheets of trigonal planar carbon. The individual layers are called graphene. In each layer, the carbon atoms are arranged in a honeycomb lattice with a bond length of 0.142 nm, and the distance between planes is 0.335 nm. Bonding between layers is relatively weak van der Waals bonds and is often occupied by gases, which allows the graphene-like layers to be easily separated and to glide past each other. Electrical conductivity perpendicular to the layers is consequently about 1000 times lower. The two forms of Graphite are alpha (hexagonal) and beta (rhombohedral). Their properties are very similar. They differ in the stacking of the graphene layers: stacking in alpha graphite is ABA, as opposed to ABC stacking in energetically less stable and less common beta graphite. The alpha form can be converted to the beta form through mechanical treatment, and the beta form reverts to the alpha form when heated above 1300 °C.
Price of Graphite
Graphite particle size and purity will affect the product's Price, and the purchase volume can also affect the cost of Graphite. A large amount of large amount will be lower. The Price of Graphite is on our company's official website.
Graphite supplier
Mis-Asia is a reliable and high-quality global chemical material supplier and manufacturer. It has over 12 years of experience providing ultra-high quality chemicals and nanotechnology materials, including Graphite, nitride powder, graphite powder, sulfide powder, and 3D printing powder. If you are looking for high-quality and cost-effective Graphite, you are welcome to contact us or inquire any time.
