Oxidation of hydrogen sulfide over Fe2O3/Al2O3 catalyst: Influence of support texture and Fe2O3 precursor

Activity and selectivity in hydrogen sulfide oxidation by oxygen on a Fe2O3/α-Al2O3 catalyst was studied at 200°C and atmospheric pressure. Reaction products were sulfur and sulfur dioxide. Two factors influencing catalytic activity were studied: support porous structure and the type of Fe2O3 precursor. The porous structure influenced substantially catalytic activity; mesopores were more active than macropores. The catalysts prepared from Fe(NO3)3 and iron(III) acetylacetonate exhibited comparable activity, the lower activity was found for the catalyst prepared from Fe2(SO4)3. The selectivity to sulfur formation was higher on catalysts containing greater amount of macropores and the value of it changed in the interval 0-85% depending on the type of catalyst.