Graphite Minerals and Graphene, 2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

Graphite generally occurs in three forms: microcrystalline, crystalline lump or vein, and crystalline flake. The microcrystalline graphite is formed through contact metamorphism of coal by large scale igneous intrusion. Flake graphite is assumed to form from ancient organic matters during long period of high-grade regional metamorphism. Vein graphite is assumed to be crystallized from thermal fluid. Graphite is a layered mineral with strong sp² hybridization carbons within each graphene layer, and these graphene layers are bonded by the weak van der Waals interaction forces. The structural features endow graphite great physical and chemical properties, such as lubricity, conductivity, anti-corrosion, high melting point in non-oxidizing conditions, etc. The traditional applications of graphite are in the refractories industry, friction materials, lubricants, etc. Graphite consumption has increased with the rapid development of electric cars and energy storage power stations in recent years, because large amounts of graphite were used as anodes of lithium–ion batteries. With the depletion of high-quality graphite resource, demand for synthetic graphite derived from petroleum or coal-based byproducts under high temperature increases dramatically. People also try to synthesize graphite directly from coal to reduce dependence on petroleum and lower the cost. Meanwhile, the graphene first obtained by simply peeling off graphite with tape was found to be a fantastic two-dimensional material; its exceptionally high tensile strength, electrical conductivity, transparency, and being the thinnest 2D material in the world will significantly impact the future semiconductor, electronics, electric batteries, sensors, and composites industry. Considering the applications in future cutting edge techniques of graphite, many countries view natural graphite as a strategic non-metallic mineral material.

This Special Issue “Graphite Minerals and Graphene” welcomes original research articles and reviews on the following:

1. ore occurrences of graphite minerals, and their exploration, exploitation, and separation and purification;
2. structural evolution during graphitization, and the structural properties, surface activity, and modification of different type graphite;
3. synthesized graphite under high temperature, the graphene preparation, and applications of graphite and graphene are also welcomed.

This Special Issue aims to contribute our knowledge on graphite minerals and its value-added utilizations.

Prof. Dr. Qinfu Liu
Dr. Kuo Li
Dr. Shuai Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• graphite ores
• graphite crystal growth
• graphitic carbon
• graphite structural properties
• graphene preparation
• applications of graphite and graphene

• Graphite Minerals and Graphene in Minerals (9 articles)