nongraphite

Nongraphite is a non-graphitic form of carbon used as a generic label for carbon-rich materials that do not crystallize as graphite. In mining, metallurgy, and materials science, nongraphite distinguishes carbon-containing materials from graphite-bearing materials. The term encompasses a range of substances, including coal, coke, charcoal, activated carbon, carbon black, soot, and many forms of amorphous carbon. It is a practical category rather than a formal chemical designation.

Structure and properties of nongraphite materials tend to lack the long-range order of graphite. They may be wholly or partly crystalline, but without the distinctive layered graphene structure. Their physical properties vary widely: electrical conductivity is typically lower than graphite's, thermal conductivity is variable, and chemical reactivity is influenced by impurities and porosity. Activated carbon and carbon black, for example, can be highly porous or highly conductive, depending on processing.

Origin and production of nongraphite materials reflect diverse geological and industrial processes. Coal and coke form from plant material subjected to heat and pressure over geological time, while charcoal forms from biomass by pyrolysis. Carbon blacks are produced by incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons and are often used as pigments or fillers. Activated carbon is produced by treating carbon-rich materials to develop porosity for filtration and adsorption applications.

Applications and context: nongraphite materials serve as fuels (coal, coke), in filtration and purification (activated carbon), as pigments and reinforcements (carbon black), and as specialized carbon sources in chemicals and industry. In contrast to graphite, nongraphite materials generally do not exhibit the high electrical or thermal conductivity associated with graphitic crystals. Analytical methods such as X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy can help confirm the absence of graphite’s characteristic crystal structure.