Graphitization and Structural Evolution of Coal-Based Carbon Materials
Summary
Coal-based carbon materials encompass a range of products from partially ordered char to highly crystalline graphite derived from coal feedstocks. The transformation, or graphitization, of these materials involves the progressive rearrangement of carbon atoms into hexagonal lattices under elevated temperatures, pressures or catalytic conditions. During this process, disordered aromatic fragments coalesce into stacked graphene layers, defects are annealed, and crystallite dimensions (both lateral and vertical) increase. Structural evolution is influenced by intrinsic coal properties such as maceral composition and rank, as well as extrinsic factors including thermal regime, applied pressure and mineral catalysts. Advances in spectroscopic and microscopic characterisation—Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy—have elucidated defect healing, basal plane growth and the role of strain in inducing preferred orientation of basic structural units. Coal-based graphites find uses in electrodes, energy storage and high-temperature applications, while more disordered intermediates serve as precursors for graphene-like sheets and activated carbons. Understanding the interplay between coal chemistry, processing conditions and catalytic phases is critical to tailoring material properties for sustainable, high-value carbon products.
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Graphitization and Structural Evolution of Coal-Based Carbon Materials publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in graphitization and structural evolution of coal-based carbon materials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Graphitization: The conversion of disordered carbon structures into the hexagonal lattice of graphite through heat, pressure or catalysis.
Basic structural units (BSUs): Aromatic clusters of carbon atoms that serve as building blocks for graphitic ordering.
Degree of graphitization: A quantitative measure of how closely a carbon material approaches the ideal graphite lattice, often inferred from X-ray diffraction spacing (d002) or Raman spectral ratios.
Vitrinite/Inertinite: Coal macerals derived from woody plant tissue (vitrinite) or oxidised/charred plant fragments (inertinite), which influence graphitization behaviour.
High-temperature high-pressure (HTHP) method: A synthetic approach employing simultaneous application of elevated temperature and pressure to accelerate graphitization.
References
- Strain-Induced Graphitization Mechanism of Coal-Based Graphite from Lutang, Hunan Province, China. Minerals (2019).
- Study on Structural Evolution of Synthetic Graphite Derived from Lignite Prepared by High Temperature–High Pressure Method. Crystals (2022).
- High-temperature graphitization characteristics of vitrinite and inertinite. Frontiers in Earth Science (2023).
- Investigation on the Mineral Catalytic Graphitization of Anthracite during Series High Temperature Treatment. Minerals (2023).
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