Infrared Investigation of H2S Adsorption and Decomposition on Alumina and on Alumina Supported Molybdenum Sulfide

Abstract

Adsorption and subsequent reaction of H2S on alumina gave major i.r. bands at 1341, 1568, 1625, and 3400 cm−1. Relative band intensities were used to follow the first order decomposition of adsorbed H2S and formation of H2O. Rate constants of the surface reaction at 23, 55, and 80 °C were 0.70, 1.48, and 3.42 × 10−3 s−1, respectively. A mechanism consistent with the observed spectral and kinetic data involved adsorption to an exposed Al ion forming an Al—S surface bond, and hydrogen bonding to neighboring O and OH species. It was assumed that the sulfur remained on the surface as a sulfide. The 1568 cm−1 band was discussed in terms of an Al—O species.With adsorption on MoS2–Al2O3, bands appeared at 1330 and 1575 cm−1. Behavior in all respects was similar to that observed on the alumina support alone.