Editing Graphite (section)

=== Synthetic===
Synthetic graphite has high purity and is usually produced by the thermal [[graphitization]] of [[hydrocarbon]] materials at temperatures in excess of 2,100&nbsp;°C, most commonly through the [[Acheson process]].<ref name="USGS_PP1802J"/><ref name="Acheson_1906">{{cite patent |country=US |number=836355 |title=Production of Graphite |pubdate=1906-11-20 |fdate=1906-10-22 |inventor=Acheson, E. G.}}</ref> The high temperatures are maintained for weeks, and are required not only to form the graphite from the precursor carbons but also to [[vaporize]] any impurities that may be present, including hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, organics, and metals.<ref name="USGS_PP1802J"/> The resulting synthetic graphite is highly pure{{emdash}}in excess of 99.9% C purity{{emdash}}but typically has lower density, conductivity and a higher porosity than its natural equivalent.<ref name="USGS_PP1802J"/> Synthetic graphite can be formed into very large (centimeter-scale) flakes while maintaining its high purity, unlike almost all sources of natural graphite.<ref name="USGS_PP1802J"/> Synthetic graphite can also be formed by other methods including by [[chemical vapor deposition]] from hydrocarbons at temperatures above {{convert|2500|K|C}}, by decomposition of thermally unstable [[carbide]]s, or by [[crystallization]] from metal melts [[supersaturated]] with [[carbon]].<ref>{{cite book |doi=10.1016/B978-008044463-5/50023-6 |chapter=Production and Reference Material |title=Activated Carbon |date=2006 |last1=Marsh |first1=Harry |last2=Rodríguez-Reinoso |first2=Francisco |pages=454–508 |isbn=978-0-08-044463-5 }}</ref>