Synthesis of Highly Crystalline Graphite from Spontaneous Ignition of In Situ Derived Acetylene and Chlorine at Ambient Conditions

We exploited a classic chemistry demonstration experiment based on the reaction of acetylene with chlorine to obtain highly crystalline graphite at ambient conditions. Acetylene and chlorine were generated in-situ by the addition of calcium carbide (CaC<sub>2</sub>) in a concentrated HCl...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nikolaos Chalmpes, Konstantinos Spyrou, Athanasios B. Bourlinos, Dimitrios Moschovas, Apostolos Avgeropoulos, Michael A. Karakassides, Dimitrios Gournis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-01-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/2/297
Description
Summary:We exploited a classic chemistry demonstration experiment based on the reaction of acetylene with chlorine to obtain highly crystalline graphite at ambient conditions. Acetylene and chlorine were generated in-situ by the addition of calcium carbide (CaC<sub>2</sub>) in a concentrated HCl solution, followed by the quick addition of domestic bleach (NaClO). The released gases reacted spontaneously, giving bursts of yellow flame, leaving highly crystalline graphite deposits in the aqueous phase. This was a rather benign alternative towards synthetic graphite, the latter usually being prepared at high temperatures. The synthetic graphite was further utilized to obtain graphene or conductive inks.
ISSN:1420-3049