PREPARATION OF THIN-FILM GRAPHITE-LIKE CARBONS INTERCALATED BY METALLIC POTASSIUM

A thin film of graphite-like carbons was prepared on TM/Al2O3 support (TM = Co and/or Fe). Then C-TM/Al2O3 precursors were intercalated with metallic potassium vapour. The K-C-TM/Al2O3 materials obtained were v ery active catalysts in the ammonia synthesis reaction. In the resulti ng K-C-TM/Al2O3 catalysts, the presence of a KC8, KC9, KC16 and KC24 i ntercalates mixture was found. The formation of intercalates is couple d with the changing of the graphite-like carbons orientation from a fl at structure in the C-TM/Al2O3 precursor to rather filamentous needle- shaped or regular blocks in the K-C-TM/Al2O3 catalyst. The intercalate d compounds of potassium and graphite thin film might facilitate trans port of 2s electrons of potassium via a carbon graphite-like network t owards very active supported transition metals.