Empowering carbon materials robust gas desulfurization capability through an inclusion of active inorganic phases: A review of recent approaches

Abstract

Gas-phase desulfurization on carbon materials is an important process attracting the attention of scientists and engineers. When involving physical adsorption, reactive adsorption and catalytic oxidation combined, the process is considered as energy-efficient. Recent developments in materials science directed the attention of researchers to inorganic phases which react with H₂S and participate to its oxidation to elemental sulfur. To fully utilize their capability, a developed surface area is needed and this feature is delivered by carbons. This review presents examples of recent advances in this field with focus not only on the activity of inorganic phases, dispersed on the surface or introduced as nanoparticles, but also on the important contribution of a carbon support as providing specific synergistic effects. The active phase promotes the H₂S oxidation and participates in the reactions with H₂S, while the carbon phase ensures its high dispersion, adds to oxygen activation and to an efficient electron transfer.

Keywords: Gas-phase desulfurization; Hydrogen sulfide; Inorganic active phase; Porous carbons; Surface reactivity.