THE STABILITY OF POTASSIUM-GRAPHITE DEINTERCALATION COMPOUNDS

We have synthesized K-GICs (potassium-graphite intercalation compounds ) by the modified two-bulb method. The compounds were kept under a sta bilization agent (liquid paraffin). The stage transition of K-GDICs (g raphite deintercalation compounds), owing to the slow diffusion of wat er, was observed by X-ray diffraction measurements. The effect of the formation of higher-stage K-GDICs by oxidation was discussed with the change of d(001) values and stage-number. We can make assumptions for the mechanism of stage transition by considering the mechanism of dein tercalation of intercalants between carbon layers. As a model for the deintercalation process, two kinds of stage transformation could be co nsidered: statistical deintercalation and irregular deintercalation of K-GDICs with the presence of the disordered stages. The stage stabili ties and the kinetics in K-GDICs have been investigated by UV/VIS spec trophotometry.