Electronic Processes in Residue Compounds of Graphite Nitrate

Abstract

By means of the X-ray diffraction, residue compounds of graphite nitrate prepared from a pyrolytic graphite have been found not only to indicate the interlayer spacing rather smaller than that of pure graphite but to show the three extra reflections representing a super-lattice structure something alike the third-stage compound. The investigation of electrical resistivity, Hall coefficient and magnetoresistance as functions of temperature and magnetic field intensity has revealed that the electronic structure becomes more metallic-like with increasing concentration of intercalated nitrate ions. Based on these observations, an appropriate model has been considered for the Brilloin zone structure; the hexagonal pillar for the host graphite is horizontally sliced by several subboundaries so as to accomodate the super lattice structure. The contraction of interlayer spacing seems to be explained in terms of the interaction between the Fermi surface and the zone boundary surfaces in reciprocal space.