grafietclusters

Grafietclusters are localized aggregates of graphite that consist of multiple graphene lagen aligned within a small, discrete domain. They can occur naturally within graphite-bearing rocks or be formed during processing of carbon materials. In natural settings, grafietclusters arise during metamorphism when carbon-rich fluids crystallize into compact graphite domains, or as remnants of recrystallization in hydrothermal veins. In synthetic contexts, clusters can form when graphene layers exfoliate and subsequently re-aggregate during high-temperature treatment or during deposition processes such as chemical vapor deposition.

Structurally, grafietclusters may display AB-stacking characteristic of bulk graphite or turbostratic stacking in which the layers are rotated and displaced relative to one another. Their size ranges from nanometers to micrometers and their crystalline order varies with formation conditions.

The presence and orientation of grafietclusters affect the anisotropy of electrical and thermal conductivity, friction and lubrication properties, and mechanical stiffness in composites or rocks. They can serve as conductive fillers in polymers and electrodes, or as microstructural indicators of the history of metamorphism in graphite-rich rocks.

Characterization typically involves electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy to assess crystallinity, layer orientation, and defect content.