The effect of mechanical activation (MA) on the change in the functional composition of the surface of commercial high-structural carbon black P399 was studied. It was found that after MA of carbon black for 3 min with the acceleration of 100g, the number of oxygen-containing groups on the carbon surface increases by more than 2 times. Catalytic tests were carried out in the propane dehydrogenation reaction mechanically activated carbon black with a functionalized surface was used as a catalyst. It was found that the carbon catalyst provides a propane conversion of 17.5% with a propylene selectivity of 90 %.