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Pulsed Electrolysis Prevents Sulfur Poisoning for Sustained Sulfide Valorization
Zhiyan Hou1, Yangbo Ma2, Yufeng Wu1
1State Key Laboratory of Materials Low-Carbon Recycling, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|April 17, 2026
Summary
This study introduces pulsed electrolysis with a Sc-doped NiFe-LDH catalyst for sustainable hydrogen sulfide oxidation, enabling efficient hydrogen and sulfur recovery. The innovative method overcomes anode deactivation, offering a circular and profitable solution for toxic gas treatment.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Environmental Engineering
Background:
- Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a toxic industrial byproduct posing environmental and health risks.
- Conventional H2S treatments like the Claus process are energy-intensive and produce waste.
- Electrochemical sulfide oxidation (SOR) is a promising alternative but suffers from anode deactivation due to sulfur deposition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a sustainable and energy-efficient method for H2S removal and resource recovery.
- To overcome the challenge of anode deactivation in electrochemical sulfide oxidation.
- To demonstrate a circular and economically viable process for H2S treatment.
Main Methods:
- Dynamic microenvironment engineering using pulsed electrolysis (PE).
- Development and application of a Sc-doped NiFe-LDH electrocatalyst.
- Integration with a bio-derived formic acid acidification process for sulfur and sodium formate co-production.
Main Results:
- Achieved continuous H2S destruction and hydrogen production for over 500 hours.
- Demonstrated high Coulombic efficiency (99.8%) and low energy consumption (2.19 kWh m-3).
- Co-produced high-purity sulfur (99.5%) and sodium formate, increasing overall profit by 121%.
Conclusions:
- Pulsed electrolysis combined with optimized electrocatalysts offers a sustainable solution for H2S treatment.
- The integrated process enables efficient resource recovery and economic viability.
- This strategy is applicable to other electrochemical systems facing catalyst poisoning.
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