# Improved alkali intercalation of carbonaceous materials in ammonia solution

## TL;DR

This paper presents a novel liquid ammonia-based method for alkali intercalation of graphite, achieving highly homogeneous intercalation at lower temperatures, with potential applications in energy storage and material modification.

## Contribution

It introduces a simplified, efficient synthesis route for alkali intercalated graphite using liquid ammonia, avoiding high-temperature processes and enabling homogeneous intercalation.

## Key findings

- Achieved near Stage-I intercalation levels in graphite.
- Method simplifies and accelerates alkali intercalation process.
- Potential applications in energy storage and chemical modifications.

## Abstract

Alkali intercalated graphite compounds represent a compelling modification of carbon with significant application potential and various fundamentally important phases. We report on the intercalation of graphite with alkali atoms (Li and K) using liquid ammonia solution as mediating agent. Alkali atoms dissolve well in liquid ammonia which simplifies and speeds up the intercalation process, and it also avoids the high temperature formation of alkali carbides. Optical microscopy, Raman, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy attest that the prepared samples are highly and homogeneously intercalated to a level approaching Stage-I intercalation compounds. The method and the synthesis route may serve as a starting point for the various forms of alkali atom intercalated carbon compounds (including carbon nanotubes and graphene), which could be exploited in energy storage and further chemical modifications.