Lignin is currently an underutilized part of biomass; thus, further research into lignin could benefit both scientific and commercial endeavors. The present study investigated the potential of kraft lignin as a support material for the removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from gaseous streams, such as biogas. The removal of H2S was enabled by copper ions that were previously adsorbed on kraft lignin. Copper adsorption was based on two different strategies: either directly on lignin particles or by precipitating lignin from a solution in the presence of copper. The H2S concentration after the adsorption column was studied using proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry, while the mechanisms involved in the H2S adsorption were studied with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was determined that elemental sulfur was obtained during the H2S adsorption in the presence of kraft lignin and the differences relative to the adsorption on porous silica as a control are discussed. For kraft lignin, only a relatively low removal capacity of 2 mg of H2S per gram was identified, but certain possibilities to increase the removal capacity are discussed.
Keywords: H2S adsorption; H2S removal; adsorbent material; biobased materials; copper adsorption; kraft lignin.