High temperature hydrogenation of CaC6

The structure and superconducting properties of high temperature hydrogenated calcium-graphite intercalation compound, CaC₆ have been investigated using room temperature X-ray diffraction, and temperature and field dependence of magnetisation. It is found that the hydrogenation can only decompose the CaC₆ phase, and generate a mixture of CaH₂ and graphite as the final compound. The hydrogenation of CaC₆ also reveals a degradation of its superconducting properties. The experimental results are discussed in detail and it is found that the formation of stable CaH₂ and deintercalation are the main source for observed phase separation and suppression in superconductivity.