Molecules (Jan 2020)

Synthesis of Highly Crystalline Graphite from Spontaneous Ignition of In Situ Derived Acetylene and Chlorine at Ambient Conditions

  • Nikolaos Chalmpes,
  • Konstantinos Spyrou,
  • Athanasios B. Bourlinos,
  • Dimitrios Moschovas,
  • Apostolos Avgeropoulos,
  • Michael A. Karakassides,
  • Dimitrios Gournis

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25020297
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 25, no. 2
p. 297

Abstract

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We exploited a classic chemistry demonstration experiment based on the reaction of acetylene with chlorine to obtain highly crystalline graphite at ambient conditions. Acetylene and chlorine were generated in-situ by the addition of calcium carbide (CaC2) in a concentrated HCl solution, followed by the quick addition of domestic bleach (NaClO). The released gases reacted spontaneously, giving bursts of yellow flame, leaving highly crystalline graphite deposits in the aqueous phase. This was a rather benign alternative towards synthetic graphite, the latter usually being prepared at high temperatures. The synthetic graphite was further utilized to obtain graphene or conductive inks.

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