Reactivity of alkali metal-graphite intercalation compounds

Abstract

Three types of reactions of alkali metal-graphite intercalation compounds (AM-GICs) are described: Extraction of alkali metals, penetration of molecules into alkali metal layers and polymerization of molecules on the surface. Oxygen extracts alkali metal atoms of MC8 (and MC24, M=K, Rb) from the bulk to the edge surface, leaving a mixture of higher stage AM-GICs inside and graphitic area on the edge surface. Ammonia molecules penetrate into alkali metal layers of MC8 (M=K, Rb, Cs) by ion-dipole interaction and are accommodated into the nanospace of MC24 (M=K, Rb, Cs). Water molecules penetrate into MC24 (M=K, Cs) and react with alkali metals. Hydrogen is adsorbed in the interlayer nanospace at low temperature (77 K). Butadiene monomers adsorbed on the surface of AM-GICs polymerize.