It is common that expanded graphite (EG) prepared from graphite (G) with a means which increase the interlayer distance of graphite. My question, Is this process can be reversible to resynthesize G from EG?
When you increase the interlayer distance of graphite by chemical or thermal methods in atmospheric conditions, generally a foreign atom comes between two graphene layers. Due to this, the graphite layers expand and become EG.
To make EG back to Graphite, you need to remove those foreign atoms to go back to graphite.
For examples,
Under atmospheric conditions, oxygen atoms could be intercalated between graphite layers and the material becomes graphite oxide (GO). One can remove those oxygen atoms to go back to graphite.
There are several methods to do this. This is called the reduction of GO. You can do this chemically, thermally, or other methods. For example, if you anneal GO under a very high vacuum (1E-7 Torr) at a very high temperature (1900-2000 C), almost all of the oxygen atoms can be removed from GO and becomes Graphite again.
There are several papers in the literature. You can easily find it. Here is one example. Hope this is helpful for you.
Good luck.
Article Solution-Processed Graphite Membrane from Reassembled Graphene Oxide