Fluorine reactivity with graphite and fullerenes. Fluoride derivatives and some practical electrochemical applications

The reactivity of fluorine with graphite depends strongly on reaction temperature and purity of the fluorine atmosphere. The presence of fluoride impurities accelerates the reaction even at room temperature. The C-F bond character ranges from covalent to ionic or semi-ionic. The electrochemical performance of fluorinated graphite products as cathode material in lithium cells is related to lamellar structure, ionicity and fluorine content. Unlike graphite, fullerenes react readily with pure fluorine even at room temperature. Highly fluorinated C-60 compounds of high crystallinity are obtained at 300 degrees C. A fully fluorinated product C60F60 can also be isolated.