Preparation and absorption properties of ZnO nanostructures for cleanup of H2S contained gas

A nano-size zinc oxide sorbents was formulated for the effective removal of sulfur compounds (H₂S) at a very low concentration (under 50 ppmv) in a gasified fuel gas. They were prepared by a matrix-assisted method in this study. An active carbon was used as a matrix and zinc acetate (Zn(C₂H₃O₂)₂ 2H₂O) was selected as a precursor. About 10–40 wt% of zinc was doped over the activated carbon in the preparation of the sorbents. Content of the zinc doped over the activated carbon had an influence on the morphology of zinc oxide nanostructure. The reactivity tests of the ZnO nanostructures having various morphologies were performed in a fixed bed reactor. Their reactivity increased as their sizes became smaller and their surface areas made larger. Most prepared nanosize zinc oxides showed an excellent performance for the removal of H₂S at a very low concentration.