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Graphite intercalation compounds are intercalation compounds with a graphite host. In this type of compound the graphite layers remain largely intact and the guest molecules or atoms are located in between. When the host and the guest interact by charge transfer the in-plane electrical conductivity generally increases. When the guest forms covalent bonds with the graphite layers as in fluorides or oxides the conductivity decreases as the conjugated sp² system collapses. In a graphite intercalation compound not every layer is necessarily occupied by guests. In so-called stage 1 compounds graphite layers and intercalated layers alternate and in stage 2 compounds two graphite layers with no guest material in between alternate with an intercalated layer. The actual composition may vary and therefore these compounds are an example of non-stoichiometric compounds. It is customary to specify the composition together with the stage.

Potassium graphite is denoted as KC₈ and used as a reducing agent. It is prepared by melting potassium ( melting point 63°C) and allowing it to be absorbed by graphite. The color changes from black to bronze. Potassium graphite ignites in air and the black color is resumed. The composition can be explained by assuming that the potassium to potassium distance is twice the distance between hexagons in the carbon framework. The bond between graphite and carbon is ionic and the compound is electrically conductive.

Carbon monofluoride is denoted as (CF)_x and used as a cathode material in a type of lithium batteries. It is prepared by reaction of gaseous fluorine with graphitic carbon at 420-450 °F. The color is grayish, white, or yellow. The bond between the carbon and fluorine atoms is covalent. The compound is not electrically conductive.

Tetracarbon monofluoride is denoted as C₄F. It is prepared by reacting gaseous fluorine mixed with hydrogen fluoride with graphite at room temperature. The compound has blackish-blue color.

Graphite bisulphate

Graphite oxide

Examples of complex graphite intercalation compounds are those with barium and ammonia guests (Ba(NH₃)_2.5C_10.9(st.1)) or those with cesium hydrogen and potassium (CsC₈.K2H_4/3C₈(st.1)).

External links

• Preparation of Potassium Graphite

References

1. Nomenclature and terminology of graphite intercalation compounds Hanns-Peter Boehm, Ralph Setton, Eberhard stumpp Pure &Appl. Chem., Vol. 66, No. 9, pp. 1893-1901, 1994 Article