0
$\begingroup$

I recently encounter this question:

Compare, while providing an explanation, the thermal and electrical conductivity of graphite to that of diamond.

Provided answer: Graphite conducts electricity(only across a layer) where as diamond does not.

Diamond is better at transferring heat than graphite.

Explanation: Diamond is covalent network solid of carbon atoms which are linked to each other through sigma bonds.

Graphite has a layered structure where each layer is bonded to the other later through vanderwall forces only. Each layer consists of hexagonal rings which have a delocalized pi electron network just above and below the plane.

These delocalized pi electrons are the reason why graphite can conduct electricity along the planes, where as diamond cannot due to the lack of delocalized electrons.

Diamond is a better conductor of heat because the transfer of heat takes place through adjacent atoms transferring their vibrational energy and diamond has a very close knit network of atoms where as graphite does not.

My doubt: In metals it is accepted that both electrical and thermal conductance is due the the free electrons present in the metal body.

Graphite too has delocalized free electrons so according the same logic graphite should be both a good conductor of heat and electricity.

So where am I or the answer provided going wrong?

P. S. I'm writing from a mobile device due to the lack of access computers so there might be some errors.

Edit:

J. D. Lee: Concise inorganic chemistry, fifth edition : enter image description here

This would mean that the electrons are truley free since they can interact with other species nearby not preventing them from being bound to a system.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
5
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Electrons are the main thermal conduction mechanism in metals only at quite low temperatures. Phonons dominate by room temperature. $\endgroup$
    – Jon Custer
    Aug 11, 2018 at 3:45
  • $\begingroup$ @JonCuster could you please elaborate it in an answer? $\endgroup$
    – Debaditya
    Aug 11, 2018 at 6:09
  • $\begingroup$ The conductivity of graphite is too low to provide much to heat conductivity. $\endgroup$
    – Karl
    Aug 11, 2018 at 10:23
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @Karl Electrical conductivity of graphite is two-dimensional; lateral heat conductivity in those two dimensions is very good in pyrolytic carbon (which is oriented graphite crystal). $\endgroup$
    – Whit3rd
    Aug 13, 2018 at 4:00
  • $\begingroup$ @Whit3rd Right, but has nothing to do with electrical conductivity. Heat is transported much more easily along covalent bonds than through the vdW interaction that holds the graphite sheets together. Conincidentally, also electrons cannot move in that direction. $\endgroup$
    – Karl
    Aug 13, 2018 at 7:29

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1
$\begingroup$

You are wrong to say that graphite has free electrons. The electrons are bound to sheets of aromatic rings--delocalized but not free. In electrical conduction, the electron pairs are able to jump from bond to bond on the sheet and between sheets. It is worth noting that graphite has anisotropic conduction where between sheets conduction is lower than conduction along a sheet.

For thermal conduction, energizing an atom does not transmit the energy via free electrons like a metal would. instead, you are limited to a predominately phonon driven heat transfer again, but now the structure is less dense and the carbons are less rigidly bonded.

Diamond as your correctly identified has a rigid structure that can easily conduct phonons but not electrons which gives good thermal, but not electrical conduction.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ Can you please explain: electrons are delocalized but not free. And why graphite cannot transfer heat but can transfer electricity along the planes with ease? $\endgroup$
    – Debaditya
    Aug 11, 2018 at 2:28
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @Debaditya delocalized means that the electrons are not bound to a local area (delocalized). Free means that the electrons are unconstrained. The electrons on graphite and other aromatic rings may travel around the rings as they are delocalized but must be located on a bond/atom not in the matrix as they are not free. Thus the conduction mechanism is different for graphite than for metals. $\endgroup$
    – A.K.
    Aug 11, 2018 at 3:04

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.