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Glassy Carbon vs. Traditional Carbon: What's the Difference?
Glassy carbon, often called glassy carbon or vitreous carbon, is a non-graphitized carbon material that combines the properties of glass and ceramics with those of graphite. Its most important properties include high thermal stability, high thermal conductivity, hardness (7 Mohs hardness), low density, low resistance, low friction, strong resistance to chemical corrosion, and sealing against gases and liquids . Glassy carbon is widely used in electrode materials, high-temperature crucibles and components of some prosthetic devices in the field of electrochemistry. It can be processed into different shapes, sizes and components.
The emergence of glassy carbon has not only changed the material applications in many industries, but also promoted the progress of scientific research.
Historical background
The first observations of glassy carbon date back to the mid-1950s, when Bernard Redfern, a materials scientist at Carborundum, first discovered the material in his laboratory in Manchester, England. During the process of placing the ceramic sample into the furnace, he discovered that the Sellotape holding the ceramic sample transformed into a peculiar structure that preserved its original shape after being heated in an inert gas environment. Eventually, Redfern searched for a polymer matrix that could mimic the structure of diamond and found a resin that solidified without the need for a catalyst, ultimately forming glassy carbon.
Materials and Structure
The structure of glassy carbon has long been the subject of debate. Research shows that glassy carbon is composed entirely of sp2 bonded atoms and exhibits a structure related to fullerenes. Its fracture characteristics are circular, which is obviously different from amorphous carbon.
"The structure of glassy carbon cannot be described as amorphous carbon because it is composed of two-dimensional structural units without "dangling" bonds. ”
Electrochemical properties
In aqueous solutions, the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is considered an inert electrode for the reduction reaction of acidified hydrogen ions. This makes it play a vital role in various electrochemical applications, especially in the development of sensors and other electronic components.
Physical properties and applications
Due to the specific surface orientation of glassy carbon, it is widely used in the production of electrode materials, especially chemically modified electrodes. Meanwhile, glassy carbon and carbon fiber composites are widely used in dental implants and heart valves due to their biocompatibility, stability and simple manufacturing technology.
"The physical properties of glassy carbon include high temperature resistance, hardness and low friction."
Conclusion
Glassy carbon, as an emerging carbon material, has undoubtedly sparked interest in many fields, especially as its potential applications in industry and science are increasingly valued. Compared with traditional carbon materials, glassy carbon provides new options for many technological innovations with its unique properties. This makes people think about how glassy carbon will further change the way we live and work in the future.
