Abstract: The invention provides a method for oxidizing chemical, the method having the steps of contacting soot to a catalyst defining a plurality of flat substrates forming a monolith, wherein any one of the substrates has a thickness no greater than 30 nm. Also provided is a catalyst for oxidizing chemical, the catalyst have a morphology having layered plates, wherein any plate is no more than 30 nm thick. The invention also provides a method for producing an oxidation catalyst, the method having the steps of combining a cobalt compound with a potassium compound to create a solution; contacting the solution with a reducing agent for a time and at a temperature sufficient to oxidize the cobalt compound and form a precipitate of the oxidized cobalt compound; filtering the precipitate; and calcining the filtered precipitate.