Solvothermal synthesis of a bismuth/zinc mixed oxide material for H2S removal at room temperature: Synthesis, performance, characterization and regeneration ability

A solvothermal route was developed to synthesize a series of ZnO-based mixed oxides. The performance of these materials was investigated for H2S removal at room temperature in order to find an environmental and economically efficient material for the reactive H2S adsorption. Compared to commercially available and synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles, which is commonly used for H2S removal, it reveals that the adsorption capacity rises drastically by co-precipitating bismuth oxide (12 times higher as compared to the commercial zinc oxide material) with a precursor molar ratio of 25% Bi and 75% Zn respectively. The H2S adsorption capacity of this new mixed oxide integrating bismuth and zinc was determined using Infrasorp (19.6 mg−1) and breakthrough measurements (79.9 mg of H2S/g of adsorbent). Characterization of the material before and after H2S treatment using SEM, EDX, ICP-OES, elemental analysis, XRD, N2 physisorption, FTIR and Raman gave essential insights in the chemical and morphological structure of the solids. Regeneration was tested, showing the ability of this material to restore partially its capacity for more than ten cycles. This bismuth/zinc mixed oxide material is not yet reported in literature and presents a promising capacity for H2S adsorption and a wide range of application perspectives.