The progressive intercalation of graphite by potassium has been studied by x-ray
diffraction methods. It has been established that potassium graphites of stages 4, 3,
2 and 1 (with intercalated potassium layers separated by 4, 3, 2 and 1 graphite
layers respectively) can be formed successively within a single graphite sample
encapsulated with excess potassium. Each stage was prepared in turn by adjusting the
temperature difference between the graphite and the potassium in a specially designed
double furnace. The graphite layer stacking sequences and repeat distances for stages
2, 3 and 4 are
stage 2
AB| BC| CA| A
c=26·25 Å
stage 3
ABA| ACA| A
24·20 Å
stage 4
ABAB| BCBC| CACA| A
46·35 Å
Within each intercalate layer the potassium atoms are distributed irregularly over
the centres of carbon hexagons in adjacent graphite layers.
The fully ordered structure of the stage 1 compound, A α A β A γ A δ A, has been
confirmed.
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