High-temperature synthesis and structural study of a new potassium-sulphur-graphite compound

The reaction between graphite and liquid potassium containing a very small sulphur amount at 600 degreesC allowed to synthesize and to isolate a new p otassium-sulphur-graphite intercalation compound that has never been observ ed at lower temperatures. This first stage lamellar compound contains three -layered intercalated sheets according to K-S-K stacking. Various radiocrys tallographic measurements showed that the compound could be described by me ans of a hexagonal unit cell, which is commensurate with the graphitic one. (C) 2000 Academie des sciences / Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsev ier SAS.