Stability and Reactivity of the Active Assemblies in Modified Graphites Characterized by TPD and TPH

Synthetic graphites, as prepared and modified by sulphonation or acetylation, were doped by Fe-, Co-, Ni- and Ca-nitrates. Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD) and Temperature Programmed Hydrogenation (TPH) were applied to characterize thermal stability and reactivity of the active assemblies formed on the matrix surface. The functional groups lowered the reactivity of the graphites. Thermally less stabile carboxylic groups decomposed with formation of secondary groups giving more reactive material. Fe containing as well as sulphonated graphites showed a much lower reactivity than the others. Synergistic effects of Co/Ca and Ni/Ca were confirmed in the graphite materials. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.