Preparation and properties of exfoliated graphite doped with nickel and cobalt oxides

We report the first synthesis of doped exfoliated graphite through the electrochemical oxidation of natural graphite in aqueous nickel nitrate and cobalt nitrate solutions, followed by heat treatment. The solutions are found to differ in electrochemical behavior during the anodic oxidation of graphite. The thermal properties of the oxidized graphite prepared by this procedure and utilized as a precursor to exfoliated graphite are described. The exfoliated graphite obtained under optimal conditions contains 2-60 wt % metal oxide and has a specific surface of 60-160 m(2)/g and loose density of 1.5-5 g/l.