Intercalation of alkali metals into graphite-like layered material of composition BC2N

Graphite like layered material of composition BC2N was prepared by CVD reaction of acetonitrile with boron trichloride at a temperature between 1470 K and 2070 K. Potassium (K) could be intercalated by vapor phase reaction with BC2N and the obtained material was compared with graphite intercalation compound (GIC). The 1st stage K-GIC was brown in color, while almost no change in color for the 1st stage K intercalated BC2N was observed after the K intercalation. Lithium (Li) was also intercalated into BC2N and graphite by electrochemical method. Both 1 st stage Li intercalated BC2N (Li-BC2N) and Li-GIC were brown in color. They showed similar X-ray diffraction patterns except a stronger relative intensity of (100) diffraction for Li-BC2N than that of Li-GIC, probably because of a stronger interaction between the host BC2N and the intercalated Li.