Analyzing the oxidation of graphite using a microcomputer

Abstract

A graphics program, written in BASIC and designed for use on a microcomputer, has been created which analyzes the oxidation of a single layer of a graphite crystallite. With this program, one can see how differences in relative activities of reactive sites can produce differently shaped holes and edges in graphite crystallites. The results then can be compared with experimental observations to test proposed burning mechanisms. Using the program has shown that proposed relative activities of active sites does produce equilateral hexagonal etch pits, as observed experimentally.