Development of perovskite catalysts for hydrogen production from H2S

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas is produced in large quantities industrially as a byproduct and it is also available in nature and it has to be disposed of due to its considerable toxic and corrosive properties. In addition to obtaining two economically valuable products namely, hydrogen and sulfur by means of decomposition of hydrogen sulfide, damages against human health and the environment arising from hydrogen sulfide could be minimized. Direct thermal decomposition is the simplest route in comparison with the other methods found in literature in terms of applicability for hydrogen and sulfur production from H2S. In the present study, perovskite oxide catalysts were manufactured and they were tested for the first time in thermal decomposition of H2S in order to enhance hydrogen yield and to decrease required decomposition temperature. The perovskite catalysts; LaCrO3 and La0.9Sr0.1Cr0.25Co0.75O3 provided the highest conversion of hydrogen sulfide. When compared, perovskite oxides produce better results than several metal sulfide catalysts reported in literature for thermal decomposition of H2S.