A novel type of reaction in the chemistry of graphite intercalation compounds. The preparation of alkali metal graphite intercalation compounds by ion exchange reactions Original Research Article

The treatment of KC8 or KC24 with a solution of LiCl or LiClO4 in tetrahydrofuran (THF) results in the exchange of K+ions in the GIC for Li+ ions. Depending on the ratio salt/GIC, ternary Li-THF-GICs with either di = 12.5 Å or di = 7.16 Å5 have been obtained. Analogous reactions between KC8 or KC24 and solutions of NaI in THF lead to the formation of Na-THF-GIC with di = 11.2 Å. The same GIC was prepared by reactions of LiC6 or LiC12 and solutions of NaI in THF. Li-THF-GIC can be also obtained by reacting Na(NH3)xC14 with solutions of LiCl in THF. A model to explain the mechanism of ion exchange of intercalated alkali metal ions with ions in THF solution is proposed.