Interactions of Carbons, Cokes, and Graphites with Potassium and Sodium

Abstract

This chapter summarizes understanding of the mechanisms of intercalation of potassium and sodium with graphitic, graphitizable, and nongraphitizable carbons. The objective is to facilitate research into industrial aspects of the interactions of alkali metals with metallurgical cokes and anodes and cathodes employed in aluminum production. Interest in the preparation and properties of intercalation compounds of graphitic and graphitizable carbons with potassium and sodium as intercalates has grown, and fundamental knowledge of the properties of the materials has increased significantly. Graphite intercalation compounds are formed by the insertion of atomic or molecular layers of a different chemical species between layers in a graphitic host material. Although the properties of potassium-graphite are relatively well established and understood, the formation and properties of compounds formed from potassium with nongraphitic carbons are less well documented. In contrast to char and carbon, graphite was apparently unable to reduce potassium carbonate to potassium metal.