The potential of graphite nanofiber (GNF) supported silver catalysts to function as a catalyst system for the partial oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide has been investigated at 220 C and atmospheric pressure. It was found that when the metal was dispersed on "platelet" GNF that had been modified by pretreatment in argon at 2300 C the performance of the catalyst was superior to that of the current commercial system Ag/alpha-alumina, when reacted under the same. It is suggested that the observed enhancement in both activity and selectivity is related to electronic perturbations in the metal particles when dispersed on a highly conductive support medium.