Pierre Delhaes is an emeritus research director at the Paul Pascal research center, CNRS and the University of Bordeaux, France. He was President of the French Carbon Group (1994-2000) and the first spokesman for the European Carbon Association.

• Introduction xiChemical Glossary xviiChapter 1. From the Chemical Element to Solids 11.1. Carbon on Earth 11.2. A brief history of the chemistry of carbon 51.2.1. The first discoveries: fire, heat and metals 91.2.2. Exploitation of mined resources 111.2.3. Uses of dispersed carbons 131.3. Presentation of carbon solids 141.3.1. Comparison of natural and artificial evolution 161.3.2. Production and development of carbonaceous products 171.4. Conclusion and perspectives 181.5. Bibliography 19Chapter 2. The Polymorphism of Carbon 232.1. The carbon atom and its chemical bonds 242.1.1. Chemical bonds and solid phases 242.1.2. Carbon isotopes 262.2. A thermodynamic approach 272.2.1. Some reminders about phenomenonological thermodynamics 272.2.2. Diagram of equilibrium states of carbon 282.3. New molecular phases 302.4. Non-crystalline carbons 322.4.1. Principal processes 332.4.2. Evolution and structural characterizations 352.4.3. Homogeneous massive carbons 402.4.4. Porous and dispersed carbons 422.5. From solids to materials 442.6. Bibliography 45Chapter 3. Natural Carbons: Energy Source and Carbochemistry 473.1. Primary energy sources 483.1.1. The various forms of energy 483.1.2. Combustion of natural coals 533.1.3. Manufacturing cements 573.1.4. Gasification and liquefaction procedures 573.2. Carbochemistry 583.2.1. Intermediary products: coal tar and pitch 603.2.2. Solid primary materials: cokes and artificial graphites 633.3. Use of coal resources 643.3.1. Primary energy source 643.3.2. The future of carbochemistry and carbonaceous materials 673.4. Summation and essential points 683.5. Bibliography 68Chapter 4. The Role of Carbon in Metallurgy 714.1. Principles and evolution of the steel industry 724.1.1. Industrial manufacturing for cast iron and steel 754.1.2. Carbons in the steel industry 774.2. The manufacturing of aluminum 784.2.1. Electrolysis tank 784.2.2. Carbons for the aluminum industry 794.3. Silicon production 804.3.1. Obtaining metallurgical silicon 804.3.2. Carbon electrodes 814.4. Metallic carbides 814.4.1. Synthesis of acetylene 824.4.2. Refractory carbides 824.5. Summary and essential points 834.6. Bibliography 84Chapter 5. Black and White Ceramics 855.1. Graphites and isotropic carbons 865.1.1. Manufacturing artificial graphites 865.1.2. General physical properties 885.1.3. Glassy carbons 915.1.4. Major areas of application 925.2. Pyrocarbons and pyrographites 945.2.1. Pyrocarbons (Pyc) obtained via vapor-phase chemical deposit 955.2.2. Textural and physical characteristics 965.2.3. Pyrographites and analogs 995.3. Films of diamond 1005.3.1. Thin layer processes 1005.3.2. Properties and fields of application 1025.4. Summary and essential points 1035.5. Bibliography 104Chapter 6. Dispersed and Porous Carbons 1076.1. Carbon blacks 1086.1.1. Formation mechanisms and industrial processes 1086.1.2. Classification and characteristics 1106.1.3. Other carbon particles 1126.2. Shaping and fields of application 1136.2.1. Reminder on heterogeneous media 1136.2.2. Main domains of exploitation 1166.3. Porous and adsorbent carbons 1196.3.1. General definitions 1196.3.2. Activated carbons 1236.3.3. Purification and transport in the gaseous phase 1256.3.4. Uses in the liquid phase 1266.4. Summary and essential points 1286.5. Bibliography 129Chapter 7. Fibers and Composites 1317.1. Carbon filaments 1327.1.1. Historic overview of the main families 1327.1.2. Textural characteristics and physical properties 1367.2. Composite materials 1397.2.1. Fiber-matrix interface 1397.2.2. Main categories of composites and nanocomposites 1437.2.3. Manufacture of carbon-carbon composites 1457.2.4. Applications of carbon-carbon composites 1487.3. Summary and essential points 1517.4. Bibliography 152Chapter 8. Molecular Carbons and Nanocarbons 1558.1. Synthesis and production 1568.1.1. Synthesis and characterization of fullerenes 1568.1.2. Formation and identification of nanotubes 1578.1.3. Manufacture and stabilization of graphene ribbons 1608.2. Transport and nanoelectronic properties 1628.2.1. Electronic transport in single-wall nanotubes and graphene ribbons 1658.2.2. Molecular transistors and logic circuits 1668.2.3. Associated quantum phenomena 1688.3. Physical chemistry of interface and sensors 1698.3.1. Chemical functionalization of surfaces 1708.3.2. Sensors, biosensors and actuators 1738.3.3. Comments on biological compatibility 1758.4. Conclusion and prospective 1768.5. Bibliography 176Chapter 9. Carbon Techniques and Innovation 1799.1. Evolution of carbon materials 1809.1.1. Different generations of carbonaceous materials 1809.1.2. Classification by purpose and areas of activity 1829.1.3. Role in energy problems 1839.2. Socio-economic aspects 1869.2.1. Economic assessments 1869.2.2. Economic transitions and cycles 1889.3. Epilogue 1919.4. Bibliography 192Index 195