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
graphene layers
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 sp2
hybridization
and with a C–C distance of 141.7 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
graphite materials
, i.e. materials consisting of
graphitic carbon
made from carbon materials by processing to temperatures greater than 2500 K, even though no perfect graphite structure is present.
Source:
PAC, 1995, 67, 473. (Recommended terminology for the description of carbon as a solid (IUPAC Recommendations 1995)) on page 491 [Terms] [Paper]