MoCl5 intercalation into carbon fibers

The host effect on the intercalation of MoCl5 was studied using vapor-grown (VGCFs), mesophase-pitch-based (MPCFs) and PAN-based carbon fibers (PANCFs) heat-treated to different temperatures. MoCl5 successfully intercalated into VGCFs, but MPCFs and PANCFs showed no intercalation. MoCl5 intercalated into 2000°C- and 2200°C-treated VGCFs having larger interlayer spacing than 2900°C-treated MPCFs where no intercalation was observed. The use of MoO3 or MoOCl3 with MoCl5 found to affect the stage structure in VGCFs but was not able to perform intercalation in MPCFs and PANCFs. In VGCFs, the intercalation of MoCl5 depends on the heat treatment temperature. Stage-1 structure in single phase was formed from 3000°C-treated VGCF with MoCl5 and MoO3 in the molar ratio of 1:1:0.37. SEM studies of stage-1 VGCF 3000°C-treated fiber showed the peeling of thin layers from the fiber surface and cleavage along the fiber axis of the fiber. Apparent diameter of fibers increased to roughly 3 times after intercalation.