Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a highly toxic and corrosive gas that causes a foul odor even at very low concentrations [several parts per billion (ppb)]. However, industrially discharged H2S has a concentration range of several tens of ppb to several parts per million (ppm), which conventional methods are unable to process. Therefore, advanced and sustainable methods for treating very low concentrations of H2S are urgently needed. TiO2-based photocatalysts are eco-friendly and have the ability to treat environmental pollutants, such as low-concentration gases, using light energy. However, there are no reports on H2S decomposition or oxidation at concentrations below several ppb. Therefore, in this study, we employed anatase/TiO2(B) nanotubes, which have a high specific surface area and an efficient charge-transfer interface, to treat H2S. We successfully reduced 10 ppm of H2S to 1 ppb or less at a kinetic rate of 75 μmol h-1 g-1. The suitability of our method was further demonstrated by the generation of sulfate ions and sulfur (as detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ion chromatography), which are industrially useful as oxidation products, whereas sulfur dioxide, a harmful substance, was not produced. This is the first study to report H2S decomposition down to the ppb level, providing meaningful solutions for malodor problems and potential health hazards associated with H2S.
© 2022 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.