Conversion of graphite intercalation compounds to carbon materials containing polymetallic nanoparticles

Abstract

We report the formation of ternary graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) with FeCl3 and PtCl4 via reaction between hexachloroplatinic acid and a binary GIC with iron(III) chloride. Mossbauer spectroscopy and X-ray microanalysis results show that ternary GICs form only when the interlayer spaces in the parent binary GIC are incompletely occupied (stage III or lower). The coexistence of different chloride molecules in the ternary GIC leads to the formation of intermetallic nanoparticles when the material is reduced. The yield of the intermetallic phase increases with decreasing graphite particle size.