Discussion of intercalation behavior for pitch-based carbon fibers

The intercalation mechanism for carbon fibers was discussed. Li-intercalation compounds of pitch-based carbon fibers (Li-ICCFs) were synthesized through electrical contact between lithium metal and carbon fibers in an electrolytic cell. Li-ICCFs containing both high- and low-stages were synthesized with all the carbon fibers used. It was also shown that high- and low-stage structures of Li-ICCFs coexisted during the intercalation process. The intercalation behavior of carbon fibers was discussed from the aspect of the crystallite size of the carbon fibers and the de-intercalation behavior of the Li-ICCFs obtained. It was found that the de-intercalation behavior of the carbon fiber differed from that of graphite such as graphitized sheets. It was shown that a different crystallinity in the internal texture of the carbon fiber is related to the intercalation behavior, making it different from graphite.