Large, self-supporting graphite films (e.g., see Figure) have been pre
pared using phosphate-treated montmorillonite, a day, as a template. T
he preparation-intercalation of the montmorillonite with a copolymer f
rom an aqueous dispersion, conversion of the copolymer component to am
orphous carbon, heat treatment to give a highly oriented graphite film
-and characterization of the films are described.