Radial distribution function analysis of the graphitization process in carbon materials

X-ray scattering studies of the graphitization process of saccharose- and anthracene-based carbons are reported. The scattered intensities were recorded in the scattering vector range from 0.6 to 24 ??1, yielding a radial distribution function of good quality. Analysis of the first three peaks of the radial distribution function allowed us to establish a hexagonal structure within a single layer. In the early stage of preparation, both carbons exhibit a disordered structure in which graphite layers are stacked without spatial correlation, i.e. the turbostatic structure. The inter-layer spacings were estimated to be in the range from 3.6 to 3.37 ?. At higher temperatures the graphite-like layers exhibit an increasing ordering tendency within a single layer and in the caxis. However, the degree of ordering is much higher for the anthracene-based carbons than the carbons prepared from saccharose, which remain disordered even at 2300°C.