Effect of Gas Atmosphere on Graphitization of Carbon Powder

Abstract

Graphitization of the carbon materials used in battery electrodes and other fields is high temperature process that requires an enormous amount of energy and generates large quantities of carbon gases. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a new heat-treatment method that can reduce electricity consumption and lighten the environmental load while ensuring a sufficient degree of graphitization. In this study, several carbon materials were graphitized in various kinds of furnaces, and the changes in the carbon powder properties were examined. In particular, the influence of atmosphere on the graphitization behavior was examined in detail. It was found that graphitization proceeded more readily in an atmosphere of nitrogen gas than in argon gas, and the graphitization temperature could be reduced to about 300°C.