Fe supported on activated carbons treated by HNO 3 (Fe/NAC) was prepared using the incipient wetness method with ultrasonic-assisted oscillation and calcined at different temperatures. The physical and chemical properties were studied using FTIR, XPS, XRD and H 2 -TPR, and SO 2 removal ability of Fe/NAC was also evaluated at a fixed bed. The results showed that α-Fe 2 O 3 and small Fe 3 O 4 coexist in Fe/NAC-500, while catalysts calcined at 700°C only possess Fe 3 O 4 . Fe 3 O 4 with small Fe 2 SiO 4 is observed for Fe/NAC-900, but Fe 2 SiO 4 and Fe 0 are detected in Fe/NAC-1000, indicating that the interactions between Fe precursor and activated carbons are very complex, and C atoms may take part in the reduction of iron oxides. The relative content of C−C and C−O decreases first and then increases when calcination temperatures increase from 500 to 1000°C, but that of CO and OCOH has a contrary trend, suggesting that calcination temperatures influence the formation of functional groups. Fe/NAC-900 shows the best activity and has a sulfur capacity of 322 mg/g, which is related closely to O COH and good crystallinity of Fe 3 O 4 . Fe 3 O 4 is the main active phase in the SO 2 removal process. After desulfurization, O COH, α-Fe 2 O 3 , Fe 3 O 4 , and Fe 0 disappear, and Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 is observed, leading to the decrease of SO 2 removal ability.
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