On the ternary system graphite-sodium-potassium

The intercalation of sodium-potassium alloys into graphite leads, at room t emperature, to compounds close to KC8. Graphite powder fits to large amount s of the alloy : up to compositions close to MC2, but the stable state is a mixture of KC8 and alloy excess. In spite of the presence of large quantit ies of free alloy, liquid at room temperature, the powder does not agglomer ate and constitutes an important solid reservoir for alkali metals.