ELECTRON-TRANSFER IN THE INSERTION OF ALKALI-METALS IN CHALCOPYRITE

The insertion of alkali metals in chalcopyrite has been investigated b y X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and band structure calculations of the extended Huckel type. The results show that the alkali metal inser tion (removal) reaction, which corresponds to the discharge (charge) p rocess of the electrochemical system Li/Li1+ / CuFeS2, is related to a n electron transfer involving mainly the Fe ions. The experimental and theoretical data indicate that the Cu atoms do not participate in the redox reaction.