Deep inelastic neutron scattering from chemisorbed hydrogen in potassium intercalated graphite

Abstract

The behavior of chemisorbed hydrogen in potassium intercalated graphite has been probed by inelastic neutron scattering at a mean momentum transfer, Q, of 39 Å-1 using a resonance detector neutron spectrometer. At these high Q's the scattering is approximately described by the impulse approximation and information on the local environment of the hydrogen may be obtained. The observed scattering from hydrogen in the potassium intercalated graphite is nearly identical with that from hydrogen in a sample of bulk potassium hydride. This indicates that the hydrogen contained in the intercalate is in the form of potassium hydride molecules, in contrast with the case of physisorbed hydrogen in alkali metal intercalates where the hydrogen retains its molecular character. Show more