oa Deep Decarbonization and Desulfurization using CU-FE/VO- TIO2 in Ambient Temperature with Oxygen Vacancies

The presence of surface oxygen vacancies (Vo) has proven critical in enhancing the reaction and activation processes for the selective oxidation of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). However, achieving efficient H₂S removal at ambient temperatures remains a significant challenge. In this study, we report the synthesis of a copper-iron impregnated titanium oxide (Cu-Fe/Vo-TiO₂) catalyst designed to address this challenge through a facile impregnation method. By leveraging the synergistic effects of Cu and Fe species on Vo-TiO₂, the catalyst demonstrated superior desulfurization performance, achieving nearly complete H₂S conversion for 10 minutes at room temperature. Extensive characterization, including XRD, SEM, BET, and XPS analyses, confirmed the successful incorporation of Cu and Fe species and revealed the key role of oxygen vacancies in facilitating H₂S oxidation. The optimized catalyst exhibited a sulfur removal capacity of 56.1 mg S g⁻¹, significantly outperforming both Fe/Vo-TiO₂ and Cu/Vo-TiO₂. Mechanistic investigations further elucidated the redox roles of Cu and Fe species, alongside the crucial involvement of Vo in promoting electron transfer and sustaining catalytic activity. This study highlights the potential of Cu-Fe/Vo-TiO₂ as a robust, energy-efficient solution for low-temperature H₂S removal, with promising implications for industrial applications.