Catalysis of graphitisation

Abstract

Abstract The demand for graphites with specific properties and for an improvement in the economics of graphite production in recent years has led to an increased interest in catalytic graphitisation. At the present time, however, there is no review available of published studies and this paper attempts to make good this deficiency. Mechanisms whereby inorganic additives can catalyse graphitisation are considered, followed by a discussion of the mechanisms by which inorganic additives promote the graphitisation process. A comprehensive survey of the relevant literature to date is presented which describes in more detail the type of carbon used, the experimental techniques employed and the improvement obtained in graphite quality.