Graphite and diamond are elemental elements made of carbon. Why are physical properties so different?
diamondDiamond is pure carbon, graphite and chemical properties are basically the same, but the physical properties are not the same. The diamond carbon atoms is a tetrahedral solid, a Pyramid shaped structure, the overall shape of the crystal was eight, the structure is very stable, which leads to the hardness of diamond is very high. In addition to diamond almost non-conductive, hard material is the most natural, it is of poor thermal conductivity, high melting point, colorless and transparent.
Purpose: GraphiteIn the metallurgical industry, used in the manufacture of graphite crucible and foundry mold surface coating and furnace lining and protective slag;Electrical industry, do electrodes, brushes, batteries, positive conductive materials, carbon tubes and so on;In the chemical industry, it is used as catalyst material for acid and alkali products and chemical fertilizer industry, as well as high temperature resistant and high pressure seals;In addition, it can also be used as lubricant, anticorrosive paint, pigment, pencil core, gunpowder, neutron reduction agent in atomic reactor and anti corrosion agent in aerospace industry
Similarities and differences between diamond and graphite:graphiteGraphite and diamond are pure carbon, chemical formula of the two is C, a covalent bond, the molecular structure of graphite, their chemical properties are basically the same. But the diamond and graphite are not homogeneous material, they are allotropic body is composed of the same elements of carbon. Mainly because of their spatial structure is different, each atom between the graphite elemental form a planar structure, hexagonal flaky, a molecular bond between layer and layer, layer between sliding easily, so graphite is soft, dark gray, metallic luster, touch a greasy feeling and have a dark grey traces. Because the hexagonal structure is stable, so high temperature graphite, graphite can do high temperature lubricant. Therefore graphite has properties of high temperature resistance, good electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, lubrication, plasticity and chemical stability.
