Reaction or carbon (diamond) with hydrogen in the presence of a nickel catalyst

The mechanism of the catalytic hydrogenation of carbon materials in the presence of nickel foil over the range 900-1200/sup 0/C has been studied for the example of diamond. In dry hydrogen the phenomena have been observed in a decrease in catalytic activity and poisoning of the nickel catalyst, associated with carbon deposition on the metal and the formation of a thin graphite-like film on the surface of the metal. It is shown that the humidification of hydrogen or an increase in the thickness of the nickel foil prevents the poisoning of the catalyst.