XPS and XRD study of FeCl3–graphite intercalation compounds prepared by arc discharge in aqueous solution

A novel one-step synthesis method of FeCl3–graphite intercalation compounds (FeCl3–GICs) by an arc discharge in aqueous solution was reported for the first time. It presented a simply and controllable way to synthesize FeCl3–GICs. The structure of the stage 7 GICs was examined and characterized by X-ray diffraction. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of stage 7 of FeCl3–GICs was also carried out. The change in the binding energy suggests the nature of charge transfer and lowering of Fermi level as has been reported previously for other acceptor intercalation compounds.