Synthesis of crystalline graphite from disordered graphite by acoustic shock waves: Hot-spot nucleation approach

Abstract

The existence of the long-range order under extreme conditions is a highly unusual structural concept that remains one of the top-class fundamental questions for every high-pressure researcher to resolve. In the present study, it is probably the first time that we report the acoustical shock wave-induced conversion from disordered graphite (ID/IG- 0.709) to highly-ordered graphite (ID/IG- 0.251) at the 750-shocked condition and the obtained long-range ordering is comprehensively examined by a few representative microscopic observations which include the Raman spectroscopy, photoelectric X-ray spectrometry and transmission electronic microscopy. Furthermore, the shock wave-induced hot-spot nucleation mechanism for the graphitization is put forward in combination with the outcome of the obtained magnetic, electrical and thermal experimental data. All of these acquired results clearly demonstrate that by using the acoustical shock waves, it is possible to provide one distinctive insight into deeply disclosing the large-scale synthesis of crystalline graphite, which has the potential to be utilized extensively in future commercial applications.