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Abstract On oxidation of graphitic carbon, acidic surface oxides (or hydroxides in the presence of water) are formed at the boundaries of the carbon layers. It was found that the reaction of oxygen with microcrystalline carbon at 400–450°C yields four groups of different acidities. One strongly acidic group and one weakly acidic carboxyl group have been detected, as well as a phenolic hydroxyl group; a carbonyl group is probably also present. With dissolved oxidizing agents, one equivalent of another strongly acidic carboxyl group is formed in addition at room temperature. The possible constitutions of the acidic surface oxides are discussed. Chemically detectable surface oxides are also formed on the surface of diamond. In the presence of oxygen at 800–900°C under reduced pressure, diamond is transformed into black carbon. Surface oxides play a part in this transformation.
Boehm et al. (Thu,) studied this question.