Electrochemical Graphitization: An Efficient Conversion of Amorphous Carbons to Nanostructured Graphites

This concept paper describes a new electrochemical method for the graphitization of amorphous carbons. The graphitization is achieved by a simple cathodic polarization of the carbons at merely ≈1100 K in molten CaCl₂ . This electrochemical process is applicable to both graphitizable and non-graphitizable carbons, generating porous graphitic structures of high-crystallinity nanosheets. The transformation of carbon blacks, microspheres, and fibers to porous graphites, hollow graphite spheres, and pipes with porous shells have been demonstrated and the potential graphitization mechanism discussed.