Preparation of high purity thermoexfoliated graphite by electrochemical method

Carbon materials with a graphite-like structure have the highest thermal stability in a non-oxidizing environment, sufficient structural strength, are easily processed, etc., and therefore they are widely used in various fields of technology. There are two methods of obtaining such materials: pyrolysis or carbonization of hydrocarbons and processing of natural graphite, so-called “thermo-expanded graphite technology” (TRG), which consists of successive reactions of intercalation, hydrolysis and heat treatment of natural graphite, leads to modification of the surface of TRG particles and provides the ability to their pressing and rolling on rollers to form dense materials. Natural graphite with a carbon content of 99.0–99.5 % by mass is used for the production of TRG, from which sealing materials are obtained for the equipment of enterprises of general industrial purpose: the fuel and energy complex, the petrochemical industry, utilities, etc. In the equipment of nuclear power plants, materials from TRG, of so-called “atomic purity”, are used, in which the carbon content must be at least 99.85 % by mass. Therefore, the purpose of the work is to obtain thermally expanded gra