Intercalation of Metallic Potassium and Fullerene C60 into Natural Graphite

Abstract

Abstract:Graphite was intercalated with potassium to produce C 8 K intercalate which was subsequently exposed to suspension of fullerene C 60 in toluene. The resulting product stabilized potassium against effects of the atmosphere. The prepared product was exposed to tests of thermal stability and other analyses, such as FT-IR, SEM and Energy-dispersive Xray Spectroscopy (EDAX) with the objective to describe arrangement of potassium in the carbon matrix. The product with stabilized potassium in a carbon skeleton (graphite -fullerite) is partly able to resist the atmosphere, it is relatively thermally stable (up to 150 o C) and the energy effects of its decomposition are low up to 600 o C. The product may be used in numerous applications -catalysis, hydrogen storage and as an admixture component in aerosol fire suppression systems.