Raman validity for crystallite size La determination on reticulated vitreous carbon with different graphitization index

The graphitization index provided by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectrometry for reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC substrates, carbonized at different heat treatment temperatures (HTT), is investigated. A systematic study of the dependence between the disorder-induced D and G Raman bands is presented. The crystallite size L-a was obtained for both X-ray diffraction and Raman spectrometry techniques. Particularly, the validity for L-a determination, from Raman spectra, is pointed out comparing the commonly used formula based on peaks amplitude ratio (I-D/I-G) and the recent proposed equation that uses the integrated intensities of D and G bands. The results discrepancy is discussed taken into account the strong contribution of the line broadening presented in carbon materials heat treated below 2000 degrees C. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.