Abstract: To prepare low-dimensional nano-carbon, a series of electric explosion tests were conducted with a self-developed constrained explosive graphite device by the changed initial charging voltages together with diameters of the constrained pipe. In the experiment, in-situ sampling and microscopic analysis were carried out successively for electro-explosion products in the form of aerosols. On this basis, nano-crystallization mechanism of graphite in the process of electric explosion was studied by combining the results of the microscopic analysis of the products and the relationship between the energy density and the particle size of the products. The results show that the mechanical compression are generated in the constraint tube can exert instantaneous high pressure on the graphite and make the graphite broken. The compression wave repeatedly impacts and peels the broken graphite off in its propagation process, which results in the graphite particles ejecting from the tube. During particle injection, the collision between the graphite particles as well as between the graphite particles and constraint tube wall occurs constantly, resulting in further fragmentation of the graphite particles and formation of low dimensional nano-carbon.

Key words: constrained electric explosion, graphite, mechanical compression wave, nano-crystallization mechanism