The formation and dissolution of aluminum carbide is considered the primary
factor affecting the life of aluminum electrolysis cells. Herein,
the characteristics of sodium-graphite intercalation compounds
(Na-GICs)were measured and the formation mechanism of Al4C3duringthe aluminum
electrolysis process was experimentally studied. The Na-GIC
characteristics and the products of aluminum and Na-GIC reactions were
investigated by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron
spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that graphite
can react with the sodium metal to form Na-GICs, which were detectable by Raman
spectroscopy. Sodium that inserted into the graphite layered structure acted
as an intercalation agent to change the original graphite layered
structure and increase the volume and specific surface area of graphite. Further,
Al4C3wasproduced by using sodium-graphite intercalation compounds and
aluminum as materials. Thus, the presence of sodium plays an important role in
the formation process of Al4C3in aluminum electrolysis cells.