Intercalation of Pyridine into MPS₃ Layered Crystals

Abstract

The crystals of MPS₃ (M=Mg, Zn, Mn, Fe, Mn_1-xFe_x) produced pyridine intercalates with a basal spacing of 12.4 Å. One-dimensional electron distribution map of the intercalate showed that pyridine molecules were arranged between the phosphorus-sulfur layers with the molecular planes perpendicular to the layers. The reactivity of the MPS₃ crystals decreased in the following orders, MgPS₃≈, ZnPS₃>MnPS₃>FePS₃>NiPS₃. The NiPS₃ crystal and the solid solution of Mn_1-xNi_xPS₃ (x O.67) did not form the intercalate with pyridine. The order is reversed in comparison with the order for lithium intercalation into MPS₃, indicating that the intercalation mechanism is different between these two kinds of electron donors.