A technique for the rapid intercalation of alkali and alkaline-earth metals into crystalline C60 using self-propagating high temperature synthesis

The possibility of intercalation of alkali and alkaline-earth metals into C60 fullerene crystals in 3–6 s using self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) has been demonstrated. Alkali (K, Rb) and alkali-earth (Ba, Ca) metals have been used as intercalants. Superconducting transition temperatures of the synthesized materials coincide with those of known intercalated compounds of C60 fullerite obtained through conventional techniques. X-ray diffraction study of the SHS reaction product of C60 with calcium is reported.