Radiofrequency-driven selective oxidation of H2S on hierarchical metal-free catalyst containing defects

Abstract Hierarchical all carbon metal-free catalyst with controlled macroscopic shape based on the carbon nanotubes decorated carbon felt (CNT@CF) has been prepared. The catalyst was further treated under gaseous nitric acid to generate structural defects on its surface (o-CNT@o-CF). The as-synthesized catalyst was evaluated in the partial oxidation of H2S by oxygen into elemental sulfur in a fixed-bed reactor under a direct and non-contact inductive heating mode. The catalytic results indicate that the o-CNT@o-CF catalyst exhibits an extremely high desulfurization performance under inductive heating mode. The high desulfurization performance was attributed to the high effective heat management inside the catalyst through inductive heating along with a short diffusion length associated with the nanoscopic dimension of the carbon nanotubes. The catalyst also displays a high stability as a function of time on stream.