Catalytic graphitization of carbons by various metals

A study was made of the catalytic graphitization of carbons by 22 kinds of metals. Heat treatments were carried out at 2600°C for 1 hr and 3000°C for 10 min under argon atmosphere. In graphitizing 3,5-dimethylphenol-formaldehyde resin carbon powder with which 20w/o metal powder (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ca, Ti, V, Mo and W) was mixed, graphitic carbon was catalytically formed. The first six metals, which belong to the carbon dissolution-precipitation mechanism, gave large graphitic crystal flakes at an early stage of the reaction; the other metals resulted in fine crystals through the carbide formation-decomposition mechanism. For the non-graphitizing phenol formaldehyde resin carbon in which 10w/o metal powder was dispersed, Mg, Si, Ca, Cu and Ge catalyzed formation of only graphitic carbon; and Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo and W formed both graphitic and turbostratic carbons. Except for Al and Cu, the former effect was exerted by non-transition metals and the latter effect by transition metals. Boron alone markedly accelerated homogeneous graphitization of both kinds of carbon; and Zn, Sn, Sb, Pb and Bi had no catalytic effect. On the basis of these results, the relationships between some properties of the metals, their catalytic abilities and the kind of catalytic effects are discussed.