Reinsertion Method to Produce Graphite Intercalation Compounds with Larger Expanded Volume

Graphite intercalation compounds were prepared by using a double treatment method to increase the expanded volume. The expandable graphite (expanded volume 250ml/g) was prepared by chemical oxidation. Then the expandable graphite was used as the raw material. The expanded graphite, with expanded volume of 380ml/g, was prepared by using the reinsertion method. The influences of mixture ratio, reaction temperature and time on the expanded volume were also investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns provided evidence for the intercalation product remaining in the crystalline structure of natural graphite，but the graphite layer distance was widened . The SEM images indicate that the graphite layers opened further by the reinsertion. The results showed that the method was potentially feasible and applicable. This new method could potentially provide new insights into graphite-based nano-materials