Graphite Structure Composition
Jan 25, 2021
Graphite is a transition type crystal between atomic crystals, metal crystals and molecular crystals. In the crystal, the carbon atoms of the same layer are sp2 hybridized to form a covalent bond. Each carbon atom is connected to three other carbon atoms.
The six carbon atoms form a regular hexagonal ring on the same plane, which stretches to form a lamellar structure. . The carbon atoms in the same plane each have a p orbital, which overlap each other to form a delocalized π-bond electron, which can move freely in the crystal lattice and can be excited.
Therefore, graphite has metallic luster and can conduct electricity and heat transfer. Due to the large distance between the layers, the small bonding force (Van der Waals force), and the sliding of each layer, the density of graphite is smaller than that of diamond, and it is softer and has a slippery feel.
