A Study on the Deintercalation Reaction of Li-Graphite Intercalation Compounds

Li-graphite intercalation compounds (GICs), synthesized at elevated temperature and pressure, were allowed to decompose spontaneously in the atmosphere. The decomposition processes were analyzed by of X-ray diffraction, DSC analysis, FT-IR measurements, UV/VIS spectrophotometry. The deintercalation reaction of the Li-GICs ceased after 6 weeks and only the residual compounds could be observed. A strong exothermic reaction was observed at 300 $^{\circ}C$ in thermal decomposition, and relatively stable decomposition curves were formed. A few endothermic curves have been observed at 1000 $^{\circ}C.$ After 6 weeks deintercalation reaction time of GICs, many exothermic and endothermic reactions were accompanied at the same time. In addition the reactions of the functional groups such as aromatic rings, nitrogen, $-CH_3$, $-CH_2$ etc. of GDIC obtained by the above reaction were confirmed by FT-IR spectrum. UV/VIS spectrophotometric measurement clearly shows the formation of a minimum energy value ($R_{min}$) for the compounds between Li-GICs as a starting material and Li-GDICs obtained until after 3 weeks of the deintercalation reaction, while they were no clear energy curves from 4 weeks of reaction time, because of the formation of the graphite structure, of high stages and of the Li compounds surrounding the graphite in the deintercalation reaction.