Interkalat

Interkalat is a term used in materials science and solid-state chemistry to denote intercalation compounds formed when guest species are inserted into the layers of a host material without substantially disrupting the overall host framework. The resulting structures feature galleries, or interlayer spaces, that accommodate ions, molecules, or small clusters. Intercalation can be reversible, allowing ions to migrate in and out under electrical or chemical stimuli. The process often yields staging phenomena, where layers are alternately occupied, leading to characteristic compositions such as stage I or stage II in graphite intercalation compounds.

Common host materials include graphite, transition metal dichalcogenides (such as MoS2), layered oxides (like V2O5, MnO2), and layered double hydroxides. Guest species range from small ions (Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+), to protons, to neutral molecules (water, solvent molecules) and organic cations. Synthesis methods include chemical intercalation, electrochemical intercalation via battery-type cells, and vapor-phase or reductive intercalation. Intercalat solutions can be introduced under controlled potential, pressure, or chemical potential conditions.

Applications of intercalats span energy storage, where graphite intercalation compounds are central to lithium- and sodium-ion batteries, as well as electrochromic devices, catalysis, and radiation shielding materials. In some systems, intercalation modifies electronic, optical, or catalytic properties, sometimes inducing superconductivity or enhanced electroactivity. Notable examples include graphite intercalation compounds with lithium or iron chloride, vanadium pentoxide intercalated with ions, and layered manganese oxides. The term Interkalat may also appear in non-English literature as a near-synonym for intercalation compounds.