https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C00840
A process by which solid residues with increasing content of the element carbon are formed from organic material usually by
pyrolysis
in an
inert
atmosphere.
Note:
As with all pyrolytic reactions, carbonization is a complex process in which many reactions take place concurrently such as dehydrogenation, condensation, hydrogen transfer and
isomerization
. It differs from
coalification
in that its reaction rate is faster by many orders of magnitude. The final
pyrolysis
temperature applied controls the degree of carbonization and the residual content of foreign elements, e.g. at T1200 K the carbon content of the residue exceeds a
mass fraction
of 90 wt.%, whereas at T1600 K more than 99 wt.% carbon is found.
Source:
PAC, 1995, 67, 473. (Recommended terminology for the description of carbon as a solid (IUPAC Recommendations 1995)) on page 484 [Terms] [Paper]