One‐Pot Synthesis of a Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Composite by Electrospinning as a Metal‐Free Catalyst for Oxidation of H₂S to Sulfur

Abstract

Abstract A macroscopic composite consisting of nitrogen‐doped carbon fibers (N@CFs) was synthesized by electrospinning. The as‐prepared N@CF material was further applied as a metal‐free catalyst in the catalytic oxidation of H 2 S to sulfur, which is one of the most important purification processes for raw chemical resources (that is, biogas, natural gas, and petrochemical compounds). The catalyst, after a carbonization step at T =800 °C, exhibits a high and stable desulfurization activity for more than 100 h of testing with 57 % H 2 S conversion and 95 % sulfur selectivity at T =230 °C, which is two times higher than that of the most active metal‐based catalyst (Fe 2 O 3 /SiC). The desulfurization performance could also be improved by changing the reactant velocity. Moreover, the macroscopic shaping with an inner hierarchical structure network allows the avoidance of problems linked with the transport and handling of nanoscopic carbon‐based materials and also enhances the mass diffusion during the oxidation reaction.