What is the Difference Between Graphite and Graphene?

Graphite and graphene are both carbon-based materials, but they have different structures and properties. Here are the key differences between them:

1. Structure: Graphene is a single, one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal or honeycomb lattice. In contrast, graphite is composed of many layers of graphene, with carbon atoms in layers that slide over each other.
2. Anisotropy: Graphite has a planar structure, making its thermal, acoustic, and electronic properties highly anisotropic, meaning that phonons travel much more easily along the planes than when attempting to travel between them. Graphene, being a single layer of atoms, does not have this anisotropy.
3. Electrical Conductivity: Graphene has very high electron mobility and offers fantastic levels of electronic conduction due to the occurrence of a free pi (π) electron for each carbon atom. Graphite also has good electrical conductivity, but graphene has much higher electrical conductivity than graphite.
4. Strength: Graphene is the strongest material ever recorded, more than 300 times stronger than A36 structural steel and more than 40 times stronger than diamond. Graphite, while often used to reinforce steel, cannot be used as a structural material on its own due to its brittle nature and sheer planes.
5. Applications: Graphite is commonly used as a lubricant and in pencil lead. In contrast, graphene is known for its exceptional strength, conductivity, and flexibility, and has potential applications in various fields, including sensing, electronics, and structural materials.

In summary, graphene is essentially a single layer of graphite, but their different structures result in unique properties and applications for each material.

Comparative Table: Graphite vs Graphene

Graphite and graphene are two forms of carbon with distinct properties and potential applications. Here is a table comparing their differences:

Graphene is a single, one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb (hexagonal) lattice, while graphite is made up of hundreds of thousands of these layers stacked together. Both materials have good electrical and thermal conductivity, but graphene has unrivaled electrical conductivity, strength, transparency, and flexibility due to its two-dimensional structure. On the other hand, graphite has a three-dimensional structure, making it a soft, brittle material with excellent lubricating properties.