Intercalation of Metallic Potassium and Fullerene C60 into Natural Graphite
Graphite was intercalated with potassium to produce C8K intercalate which was subsequently exposed to suspension of fullerene C60 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 X-ray 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 150oC) and the energy effects of its decomposition are low up to 600oC. The product may be used in numerous applications – catalysis, hydrogen storage and as an admixture component in aerosol fire suppression systems.
