Graphite intercalation compounds prepared in solutions of alkali metals in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran and 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran Original Research Article

The intercalation of alkali metals (Li, K, Rb and Cs) into natural graphite flakes in the solutions of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF) and 2, 5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran (diMeTHF) containing naphthalene has been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), where naphthalene is used as a dissolving agent for alkali metals. When MeTHF is used as a solvent, binary Li- and K-graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) have been obtained, in contrast to the case of Rb and Cs, where both binary alkali metal GICs and ternary alkali metal-MeTHF-GICs are obtained. Using diMeTHF instead of MeTHF, a selective preparation of binary GICs for all the alkali metals has been established.