The influence of thermo-exfoliated graphite (TEG) on the catalytic activity
of nickel in the CO oxidation process has been investigated. tt was shown
that nickel supported on the thermo-exfoliated graphite surface was more ac
tive catalytically than the bulk metal. Alternate oxidation-reduction on th
e Ni-NiO phase boundary occurred at temperatures higher than 633 K (Curie t
emperature of pure nickel). Using a magnetogravimetric method, it was found
that the nickel catalyst was transformed by the reaction mixture into a he
terophase (Ni/NiO) system both in the presence of a carrier and in its abse
nce. Hence the carrier did not influence the size of the Ni particles. The
high catalytic activity of the catalyst supported on graphite may be explai
ned by an increase in the number of Ni particles. Ni/TEG and Ni/NiO samples
were studied via X-ray diffraction, Auger spectroscopy and electron micros
copy methods.