Between Order and Confusion: Clearing up Structural Misconceptions in Carbon Materials Nomenclature

Carbon materials are of increasing importance for various applications especially in the field of energy storage and conversion as well as electrocatalysis, and thus, they are essential for the worldwide transition toward an emission-free economy. Hence, various carbonaceous materials with different levels of order of graphene stacks are discussed in current literature. However, precise characterization or even the correct terminology of the respective material is often neglected, leading to miscommunication and misinterpretation throughout the carbon community, especially with respect to "amorphous" carbon. Here, we aim to clarify the terms describing different graphene-containing carbon materials, namely graphite, graphitic carbon, non-graphitic carbon, and amorphous carbon. We recall the IUPAC definitions of these materials and correlate them with characteristic X-ray scattering patterns as well as Raman spectra, being the most widespread and appropriate characterization techniques. Thereby, this scientific perspective strives toward raising awareness for fine structural differences and the need for a consistent characterization and description of these carbon materials.