Volumetric method for following the rate of intercalation of liquid molecular guests into layered hosts

A new experimental method is suggested for the kinetic measurements of intercalation reactions in systems formed by a polycrystalline layered host and a liquid molecular guest. The method is based on the fact that the molecular guest decreases its molar volume on entering the space between the host layers. Hence the volume of the system in which an intercalation process takes place is measurably decreased. The time course of the intercalation process can thus be monitored by measuring the volume change of the system. The method has been used to obtain kinetic data about heterogeneous intercalations of some liquid aliphatic compounds into layered structures of anhydrous vanadyl phosphate and sulfate.