Atomic Resolution Surface Imaging of Binary and Ternary Stage 1 Alkali Metal Graphite Intercalation Compounds by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Li, K, Rb, Cs, KCs and RbCs graphite intercalation compounds of stage 1 are investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy in an inert-gas environment at 295 K. Various superlattice structures are identified such as 2 x 2, root 3 x root 3, root 3 x 3, root 3 x 4, root 3 x root 21, root 3 x root 27, root 3 x root 28 as well as incommensurate structures. Observed transformations between different superlattices are attributed to gradual loss of the intercalant.