In the area of solid state chemistry, graphite intercalation compounds are a family of materials prepared from graphite. In particular, the sheets of carbon that comprise graphite can be pried apart by the insertion (intercalation) of ions. The graphite is viewed as a host and the inserted ions as guests. The materials have the formula (guest)Cn where n ≥ 6. The insertion of the guests increases the distance between the carbon sheets. Common guests are reducing agents such as alkali metals. Strong oxidants also intercalate into graphite. Intercalation involves electron transfer into or out of the carbon sheets. So, in some sense, graphite intercalation compounds are salts. Intercalation is often reversible: the inserted ions can be removed and the sheets of carbon collapse to a graphite-like structure.
The properties of graphite intercalation compounds differ from those of the parent graphite.[1][2]
- ^ Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-08-037941-8.
- ^ H-P Boehm; Setton, R.; Stumpp, E.; et al. (1994). "Nomenclature and terminology of graphite intercalation compounds" (PDF). Pure and Applied Chemistry (PDF). 66 (9): 1893. doi:10.1351/pac199466091893. S2CID 98227391. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-06.