China has made a breakthrough in graphite purification technology, achieving a purity level exceeding 99.99995 percent. This development is crucial for producing materials used in high-tech machinery and equipment.

A research team from China Minmetals Corporation, led by Wang Jionghui, is behind this breakthrough. The team developed a new purification process that significantly improves graphite purity from 95 percent to more than 99.99995 percent and can maintain this ultra-pure quality consistently.

The researchers collaborated with several equipment manufacturing enterprises to develop and refine this graphite purification technology. Wang's team is also working on creating ultra-pure graphite products, including high-end negative electrode materials and carbon-based semiconductor graphite.

Graphite, a versatile form of carbon known for its properties such as lubrication, electrical conductivity, and resistance to erosion and high temperatures, is a crucial mineral for developing high-tech industries. China Minmetals Corporation, which possesses a major graphite reserve in Hegang City, Heilongjiang Province, operates a processing plant with an annual output of 200,000 tonnes.

(With input from Xinhua)