Preparation of a Graphite Bis(perfluoropinacolato)borate Intercalation Compound

Abstract

The electrochemical oxidation of graphite in a nitromethane solution containing the (perfluoropinacolato)borate anion, (B[OC(CF3)2C(CF3)2O]2−),(B[OC(CF3)2C(CF3)2O]2−), produces a new acceptor-type graphite intercalation compound (GIC). Stage 1-3 GICs are obtained and characterized by electrochemical methods and powder X-ray diffraction. The gallery height, di,di, of 14.0-14.5 Å indicates a single intercalate layer between graphene sheets. The GICs are produced at higher charge efficiency and are more oxidatively stable than the previously reported intercalation of N(SO2CF3)2−N(SO2CF3)2− from this solvent. The GICs are more stable to ambient exposure than most acceptor-type GICs; even the stage 1 material will persist in air for several hours. © 2003 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.