Effect of Reaction Current on Electrochemical Intercalation in Synthesis of HClO₄-Graphite Intercalation Compounds

HClO₄-graphite intercalation compounds (HClO₄-GIC) were prepared by electrochemical method. The variation of the potential of graphite with time was recorded at different reaction currents and stage characterisation of HClO₄-GIC was studied by the means of X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering. Two plateaus appeared in the potential curve and x(C_xClO₄^-(HClO₄)_y) corresponding to the appearance of the plateaus increased with the reaction current while V was unchanged. The results of X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering showed stage in bulk was consistent with that in surface (1000Å depth) of HClO₄-GIC at lower reaction current. When current became higher, stage was different between the bulk and the surface of sample. Above results showed the intercalating was not homogeneous at higher reaction current.