Preparation of thin film graphite-like carbons intercalated by metallic potassium

A thin film of graphite-like carbons was prepared on TM/Al2O3 support (TM = Co and/or Fe). Then CTM/Al2O3 precursors were intercalated with metallic potassium vapour. The KCTM/Al2O3 materials obtained were very active catalysts in the ammonia synthesis reaction. In the resulting KCTM/ Al2O3 catalysts, the presence of a KC8, KC9, KC16 and KC24 intercalates mixture was found. The formation of intercalates is coupled with the changing of the graphite-like carbons orientation from a flat structure in the CTM/Al2O3 precursor to rather filamentous needle-shaped or regular blocks in the KCTM/Al2O3 catalyst. The intercalated compounds of potassium and graphite thin film might facilitate transport of 2s electrons of potassium via a carbon graphite-like network towards very active supported transition metals.