Controllable Disordered Copper Sulfide with a Sulfur-Rich Interface for High-Performance Gaseous Elemental Mercury Capture

Abstract

Copper sulfide (CuS) has received increasing attention as a promising material in gaseous elemental mercury (Hg 0 ) capture, yet how to enhance its activity at elevated temperature remains a great challenge for practical application. Herein, simultaneous improvement in the activity and thermal stability of CuS toward Hg 0 capture was successfully achieved for the first time by controlling the crystal growth. CuS with a moderate crystallinity degree of 68.8% showed a disordered structure yet high thermal stability up to 180 °C. Such disordered CuS can maintain its Hg 0 capture activity stable during longtime test at a wide temperature range from 60 to 180 °C and displayed strong resistance to SO 2 (6%) and H 2 O (8%). The significant improvement can be attributed to the synergistic effect of a moderately crystalline nature and a unique sulfur-rich interface. Moderate crystallinity guarantees the thermal stability of CuS and the presence of abundant defects, in which copper vacancy enhances significantly the Hg 0 capture activity. The sulfur-rich interface enables CuS to provide plentiful highly active S x 2− sites for Hg 0 adsorption. The interrelation between structure, reactivity, and thermal stability clarified in this work broadens the understanding toward Hg 0 oxidation and adsorption over CuS and provides new insights into the rational design and engineering of advanced environmental materials.

Copper-Based Sorbents and Catalysts for Elemental Mercury Removal from Gas Stream: A Review

“…Disordered CuS with a S-rich interface was synthesized to enhance the mercury adsorption activity and the thermal stability of CuS via controlling the crystal growth process. 112 CuS with a crystallinity degree of 68.8% exhibited a high thermal stability up to 180 °C. Moderate crystallinity ensured its thermal stability and formation of adequate defects.…”

Study on SO2 Poisoning and Regeneration of the Low-Temperature Fe–Sn–Mn/TiO2 Catalyst for Simultaneous Removal of NOx and Mercury

“…However, coal combustion power plants emit various atmospheric contaminants, including NO x and mercury, which are harmful to human health and the ecological environment. Many countries and regions enacted strict legislation to abate NOx and mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants …”