Why graphite is anisotropic in electrical conductivity

Because of the high symmetry in cubic metals, the overall drift velocity is parallel to the electric field, i. However in hexagonally "close packed" metals, the nature of the symmetry in the crystalline array allows the conductivity to be anisotropic.

For example in cadmium, it varies from 1. Graphite consists of layered planes of carbon atoms with a structure as shown below. The layers are stacked above one another in a staggered fashion, the spacing between layers being about 2.

The weak pi bonding that holds adjacent graphene sheets in alignment, yields with minimal energy allowing graphene layers to peel away from each other and the crystal. Although individual layers or groups of layers can easily be cleaved from the crystal, the layers themselves are extremely tough.

In fact, the individual graphene layer is probably the toughest two-dimensional structure known. This high in-plane strength is the basis of all carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes. Issue Date : 14 October Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:.

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