The influences of the dynamic compaction on the structure, morphology, and characteristics of lithium intercalation into compacted graphite powders and foils are presented. Lithium intercalation into the compacted graphite powders is not changed significantly by magnetic pulse compaction (MPC); while it is increased by explosive compaction (EXC) ascribed to the introduction of many boundary defects in the microstructure. A severe kinetic decrease of the intercalation capacity is observed for the compacted graphite foil because of the drastic morphology changes after MPC compaction. The adverse effects of compaction are reduced when the surfaces of graphite particles are modified by copper oxide. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.