Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
09:46
Reducing Willow Wood Fuel Emission by Low Temperature Microwave Assisted Hydrothermal Carbonization
Published on: May 19, 2019
Carbon: a new view of its high-temperature behavior
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 19, 1978
Summary
Research suggests carbon can form various carbyne structures. This occurs due to a shift to triple bonding at temperatures exceeding 2600 K, potentially dissociating graphite.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemistry
- Physics
Background:
- Carbon exhibits diverse allotropes and structural forms.
- Recent research points to the existence of carbon's polymorphic "carbyne" structures.
- Understanding these forms is crucial for advanced materials development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the proposed formation of carbyne structures in carbon.
- To explore the role of temperature-induced triple bonding in carbon polymorphism.
- To elucidate the mechanism of graphite dissociation into triple-bonded molecules.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of carbon bonding under high temperatures.
- Computational modeling of carbon phase transitions.
- Review of existing experimental data on carbon allotropes.
Main Results:
- Evidence supports the existence of multiple carbyne forms of carbon.
- A shift to triple bonding in carbon systems above 2600 K is proposed as the cause.
- A simple mechanism for graphite dissociation into triple-bonded molecules is suggested.
Conclusions:
- Carbon's high-temperature behavior can lead to novel polymorphic structures.
- Triple bonding plays a critical role in carbyne formation.
- Further research is warranted to experimentally validate these proposed carbon structures and mechanisms.
Related Concept Videos
01:14The Carbon Cycle
Carbon is the basis of all organic matter on Earth, and is recycled through the ecosystem in two primary processes: one in which carbon is exchanged among living organisms, and one in which carbon is cycled over long periods of time through fossilized organic remains, weathering of rocks, and volcanic activity. Human activities, including increased agricultural practices and the burning of fossil fuels, has greatly affected the balance of the natural carbon cycle.
01:50Global Climate Change
Throughout its ~4.5 billion year history, the Earth has experienced periods of warming and cooling. However, the current drastic increase in global temperatures is well outside of the Earth’s cyclic norms, and evidence for human-caused global climate change is compelling. Paleoclimatology, the study of ancient climate conditions, provides ample evidence for human-caused global climate change by comparing recent conditions with those in the past.
02:45Responses to Heat and Cold Stress
Every organism has an optimum temperature range within which healthy growth and physiological functioning can occur. At the ends of this range, there will be a minimum and maximum temperature that interrupt biological processes.
02:11Effects of Temperature on Free Energy
The spontaneity of a process depends upon the temperature of the system. Phase transitions, for example, will proceed spontaneously in one direction or the other depending upon the temperature of the substance in question. Likewise, some chemical reactions can also exhibit temperature-dependent spontaneities. To illustrate this concept, the equation relating free energy change to the enthalpy and entropy changes for the process is considered:
01:27Atomic Spectroscopy: Effects of Temperature
Atomization, converting samples into gas-phase atoms and ions, is essential for atomic spectroscopy. The flame temperature required for atomization affects the efficiency of the atomic spectroscopic methods by increasing the atomization efficiency and the relative population of the excited and ground states.
At thermal equilibrium, the relative populations of excited and ground state atoms can be estimated using the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. For example, an increase in temperature from...
At thermal equilibrium, the relative populations of excited and ground state atoms can be estimated using the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. For example, an increase in temperature from...
01:28Carbon-dioxide Fixation
Carbon dioxide fixation in prokaryotes enables the assimilation of inorganic carbon into organic molecules, supporting biosynthetic pathways, sustaining ecosystems, and contributing to the global carbon cycle. It also has industrial applications in carbon capture and bioproduct synthesis. Autotrophic organisms rely on this process to utilize CO₂ as a carbon source in diverse environments.The Calvin CycleThe Calvin cycle is the most widespread carbon fixation mechanism, primarily used by...