The alkali metals in graphite matrixes-new aspects of metallic state chemistry

Abstract

Graphite-alkaline metal systems (lithium, potassium, rubidium, cesium) have been investigated under high-pressure conditions. New graphite intercalation compounds of C₄M composition with alkali metal contents twice as high as in those obtained with traditional methods without applying high pressure have been produced. The solid-phase postintercalation reactions of potassium and rubidium in C₈ M under 0.2–0.3 GPa pressure have been investigated. The compressibility of different composition intercalation compounds obtained was determined under 2.5 GPa pressure by the volume method. The increase in metal content in layers has been shown to lead to reduced compound compressibility. The phase transformation in C₈ K under −1.2 GPa pressure, associated with the metal compaction in the intervals between graphite layers, has been investigated.

Key Words:

• Graphite intercalation compound
• lithium
• potassium
• rubidium
• cesium
• compressibility.