Full graphitization of amorphous carbon by microwave heating

Abstract

Natural graphite is labelled as a supply risk material due to rapidly increasing demand and limited reserves. The conventional method for the production of synthetic graphite has relied on the thermal heating at an extremely high temperature, 3000 °C, and long processing time, typically 2 weeks. Here, we report a novel and efficient method of graphitization using microwave heating with metal catalysts. The amorphous carbon powders turned into crystalline graphite in 5 minutes. Ideas for the scale-up of this work were proposed. In addition, numerical analysis revealed that the Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars polarization is inadequate for the mechanism underlying the microwave heating of solid carbon materials.