Expanded graphite as a support for Ni/carbon composites

Expanded graphite decorated with nickel oxide particles (EG(NiO)) has been synthesized through electrochemical oxidation of natural graphite in an aqueous nickel nitrate solution followed by a heat treatment. EG(NiO) was used to prepare nickel/carbon composites using two techniques: (a) hydrogen reduction of nickel oxide particles loaded on the expanded graphite surface and (b) pyrolysis of coal tar pitch-impregnated EG(NiO) blocks. The EG(NiO) as well as the nickel/carbon composites have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and selected area electron diffraction. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.