Two-dimensional CaO/carbon heterostructures with unprecedented catalytic performance in room-temperature H2S oxidization

Abstract Two-dimensional (2D) carbon-based materials are attracting increasing interest as promising desulfurizers for tackling H2S emission issues at room temperature. Herein, the 2D CaO/carbon heterostructures are synthesized by a one-step method for H2S catalytic oxidation. Results indicate that the catalysts exhibit robust catalytic H2S performance with significant promotions for the generation of active oxygen species and the dissociation of H2S. Moreover, the roomy and open space created by 2D nanosheet structure could offer more exposed active sites for desulfurization reaction and larger storehouse for sulfur products compared with porous carbons. Consequently, the breakthrough sulfur capacity of the 2D CaO/carbon heterostructures achieves an unprecedented value of 9.10 g/g. Furthermore, a possible mechanism of H2S catalytic oxidation on the catalysts is proposed based on the experimental and characteristic results. This work could shed lights on the facile fabrication of high-capacity catalysts for H2S oxidation and the desulfurization behavior of the 2D carbon-based materials.