Why use graphite for electrodes?

There are many choices of electrode materials, such as metal materials copper, platinum and silver, carbon electrodes and graphite. These electrode materials are widely used in metallurgy, chemical industry, electrochemistry and other industrial fields because of their unique physical and chemical properties, such as conductivity, high temperature resistance and chemical stability. Among them, the cost of graphite used as an electrode is the lowest, so it has the highest selection rate for production and use.

Why is graphite a good electrode?

Graphite is used as an electrode mainly because of its excellent conductivity and high temperature resistance.

The reason why graphite is a good electrode conductor for electricity is because of the special properties of its molecular structure and electron arrangement.

First, the molecular structure of graphite is composed of a large number of honeycomb-like carbon atom layers. Each carbon atom connects three neighboring carbon atoms on a plane to form a planar hexagonal ring structure. This structure is called a π bond structure and is the basis of graphite conductivity.

Secondly, the electronic arrangement of graphite also contributes to its conductivity. In graphite, each carbon atom is connected to the neighboring carbon atoms only through three π bonds, and the remaining electron moves freely on the plane. These freely moving electrons are called π electron clouds, which can flow freely throughout the graphite layer and are responsible for transmitting current.

Graphite is used in making electrodes conducts current.

When voltage is applied from the outside, the electron cloud begins to move in the graphite layer. Due to the free mobility of electrons, they can be conducted quickly through the structural gaps and defect points in graphite. Therefore, graphite has extremely low resistance used in making electrodes and can effectively conduct current.

In addition, graphite also has good thermal conductivity. This is because the weak interaction between graphite layers allows heat to be quickly transferred through vibrating carbon atoms. This is why graphite is often used as a thermal conductive material.