Catalysis of the graphite-water vapor reaction by alkaline earth salts

Abstract

The kinetics of the gasification of graphite by water vapor have been found to be strongly influenced by the presence of salts of the Group IIA alkaline earth metals. Ba and Sr impurities were the most active catalysts, whereas Ca and Mg additives were much less effective. For a series of Ba salts the activity was in the order: carbonate > nitrate > oxide > chloride > sulfate. The catalytic mechanism appears to involve a carbonate-oxide oxidation-reduction cycle.