XAS studies on graphite intercalation compounds of Ce(NO3)4

Abstract XAS measurements were performed at the CeL III edge of Ce(NO 3 ) 4 graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) and reference compounds to study the electronic and geometric structure of the intercalated species. In comparison to Ce 3+ , the XANES of Ce 4+ compounds exhibits a splitted white line caused by many body effects. From the results of the XANES analysis we estimate an amount of ∼ 20% Ce 3+ in the intercalated Ce(NO 3 ) 4 indicating a charge transfer from the graphite to the intercalated cerium. The EXAFS analysis reveals a small increase of the bond length of the first coordination sphere supporting the XANES studies.