https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02684
An allotropic form of the element carbon consisting of layers of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms in a planar condensed ring system @G02683@ The layers are stacked parallel to each other in a three-dimensional crystalline long-range order. There are two allotropic forms with different stacking arrangements, hexagonal and rhombohedral. The chemical bonds within the layers are covalent with \(\text{sp}^{2}\) @H02874@ and with a C–C distance of \(141.7\ \text{pm}\). The weak bonds between the layers are metallic with a strength comparable to van der Waals bonding only.
Note:
The term graphite is also used often but incorrectly to describe @G02687@, i.e. materials consisting of @G02689@ made from carbon materials by processing to temperatures greater than \(2500\ \text{K}\), even though no perfect graphite structure is present.
The term graphite is also used often but incorrectly to describe @G02687@, i.e. materials consisting of @G02689@ made from carbon materials by processing to temperatures greater than \(2500\ \text{K}\), even though no perfect graphite structure is present.