Citation: Yue Liu, Linhong Wen, Mengyan Wang, Jianxiao Yang, Xin Zhang. Plasma-engineered activated carbon fibers for boosting sulfate selectivity and regeneration performance in room-temperature malodorous H₂S catalytic oxidation[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(7): 112153. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112153 shu

Plasma-engineered activated carbon fibers for boosting sulfate selectivity and regeneration performance in room-temperature malodorous H₂S catalytic oxidation

Yue Liu ^a ,
Linhong Wen ^a ,
Mengyan Wang ^b ,
Jianxiao Yang ^{a, *,} ,
Xin Zhang ^{b, *,}

a.
Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Advanced Carbon Materials and Applied Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
b.
College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China

yangjianxiao@hnu.edu.cn

xzhang@ucas.ac.cn

Received Date: 13 June 2025
Revised Date: 22 October 2025
Accepted Date: 21 November 2025
Available Online: 21 November 2025

Figures(9)

Catalytic oxidation of H₂S at room temperature has been regarded as a promising method for removing malodorous H₂S pollution. However, most of the existing research has primarily focused on developing catalysts with high sulfur capacity, i.e., high elemental sulfur selectivity, which was unfavored for the catalyst regeneration. The present work prioritizes efficient water wash regeneration as a key objective. A series of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) was synthesized using a synergistic strategy of "nitrogen doping-plasma defect engineering". The certain amount of nitrogen species ensured a certain level of sulfur capacity. The plasma defect engineering can result in the enhancement of surface acidity and defect density, which worked together to make the catalyst with high sulfate selectivity. The O₂-plasma modified NH₃-ACF-O10 catalyst achieved the best catalytic performance with appropriate sulfur capacity (0.21 g/g) and highest sulfate selectivity (85.40%). Importantly, it can be easily regenerated by water wash, and almost 83.33% sulfur capacity can be recovered. Besides, superoxide radicals (O₂^•-) were identified as the primary reactive oxygen species for the reaction. And the reaction obeyed a Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) like mechanism, i.e., the reaction was proceeded via chemisorbed H₂S and O₂^•-, which was adsorbed and activated by defect.
- Activated carbon fibers,
- H₂S catalytic oxidation,
- Plasma defect engineering,
- Sulfate selectivity,
- Water regeneration
1. [1]
  B. Tansel, B. Inanloo, Waste Manage. 88 (2019) 39–47. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2019.03.028
2. [2]
  E. Nie, G. Zheng, D. Gao, et al., Sci. Total Environ. 659 (2019) 664–672. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.404
3. [3]
  P. Jin, Y. Gu, X. Shi, W. Yang, Biotechnol. Biofuels 12 (2019) 100. doi: 10.1186/s13068-019-1441-8
4. [4]
  M. Yin, S.C. Pillai, N. Bolan, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 479 (2024) 147854. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.147854
5. [5]
  I. Omri, H. Bouallagui, F. Aouidi, J.J. Godon, M. Hamdi, Bioresour. Technol. 102 (2011) 10202–10209. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2011.05.094
6. [6]
  C. Yang, Y. Wang, H. Fan, et al., Appl. Catal. B 266 (2020) 118674. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2020.118674
7. [7]
  J. Wang, L. Wang, H. Fan, et al., Fuel 209 (2017) 329–338. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2017.08.003
8. [8]
  T.J. Bandosz, J. Colloid Interface Sci. 246 (2002) 1–20.
9. [9]
  Y. Chao, W. Yeshuang, L. Meisheng, et al., Appl. Catal. B 323 (2023) 122133. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2022.122133
10. [10]
  X. Zheng, Y. Li, Y. Zheng, et al., ACS Catal. 10 (2020) 3968–3983. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.9b05486
11. [11]
  X. Zheng, B. Li, L. Shen, et al., Appl. Catal., B 329 (2023) 122526. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2023.122526
12. [12]
  X. Zheng, G. Lei, S. Wang, et al., ACS Catal. 13 (2023) 11723–11752. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.3c02294
13. [13]
  J.R. Kastner, K.C. Das, Q. Buquoi, N.D. Melear, Environ. Sci. Technol. 37 (2003) 2568–2574. doi: 10.1021/es0259988
14. [14]
  A. Ros, M.A. Montes-Moran, E. Fuente, D.M. Nevskaia, M.J. Martin, Environ. Sci. Technol. 40 (2006) 302–309. doi: 10.1021/es050996j
15. [15]
  S.P. Hernández, M. Chiappero, N. Russo, D. Fino, Chem. Eng. J. 176-177 (2011) 272–279.
16. [16]
  G. Lei, D. Li, Y. Ma, et al., Carbon 210 (2023) 118039. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2023.118039
17. [17]
  G. Lei, Z. Fan, Y. Hou, et al., J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 11 (2023) 109095. doi: 10.1016/j.jece.2022.109095
18. [18]
  G. Lei, S. Qi, H. Li, et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 25 (2023) 32317–32322. doi: 10.1039/D3CP04495E
19. [19]
  G. Lei, X. Lin, H. Yan, et al., ACS Catal. 14 (2024) 17103–17112. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.4c02921
20. [20]
  F. Sun, J. Liu, H. Chen, et al., ACS Catal. 3 (2013) 862–870. doi: 10.1021/cs300791j
21. [21]
  L. Chen, X. Jiang, S. Ma, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 475 (2023) 146115. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.146115
22. [22]
  L. Chen, J. Yuan, T. Li, et al., Sci. Total Environ. 768 (2021) 144452. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144452
23. [23]
  S. Cheng, T. Wang, L. Chu, J. Li, L. Zhang, Sci. Total Environ. 915 (2024) 170073. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170073
24. [24]
  J. Wu, W. Chen, L. Chen, X. Jiang, J. Hazard. Mater. 424 (2022) 127648. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127648
25. [25]
  M.S. Shah, M. Tsapatsis, J.I. Siepmann, Chem. Rev. 117 (2017) 9755–9803. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00095
26. [26]
  K. Li, X. Chen, X. Qin, et al., Sep. Purif. Technol. 332 (2024) 125790. doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2023.125790
27. [27]
  Z. Wang, J. Huang, Y. Zhong, et al., Fuel 319 (2022) 123774. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2022.123774
28. [28]
  A. Bagreev, T.J. Bandosz, Carbon 39 (2001) 2303–2311. doi: 10.1016/S0008-6223(01)00049-5
29. [29]
  Q. Chen, Z. Wang, D. Long, et al., Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 49 (2010) 3152–3159. doi: 10.1021/ie901223j
30. [30]
  Y. Liu, M. Wang, J. Yang, et al., Fuel 368 (2024) 131590. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2024.131590
31. [31]
  Y. Pan, H. Xu, M. Chen, et al., ACS Catal. 11 (2021) 5974–5983. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.1c00857
32. [32]
  Y. Jiao, Y. Zheng, M. Jaroniec, S.Z. Qiao, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 136 (2014) 4394–4403. doi: 10.1021/ja500432h
33. [33]
  Y. Zhao, J. Wan, H. Yao, et al., Nat. Chem. 10 (2018) 924–931. doi: 10.1038/s41557-018-0100-1
34. [34]
  G. Qu, P. Jia, T. Zhang, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 475 (2023) 145888. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.145888
35. [35]
  W. Wei, F. Wang, J. Yang, et al., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 13 (2021) 6557–6565. doi: 10.1021/acsami.0c22184
36. [36]
  K.S.W. Sing, Pure Appl. Chem. 57 (1985) 603–619. doi: 10.1351/pac198557040603
37. [37]
  T. Zhang, S. Zuo, Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 30 (2023) 45097–45111. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-25481-z
38. [38]
  Y. Huang, Q. Yu, M. Li, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 418 (2021) 129474. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.129474
39. [39]
  Y. Dong, Q. Zhang, Z. Tian, et al., Adv. Mater. 32 (2020) 2001300. doi: 10.1002/adma.202001300
40. [40]
  J. Zhu, S. Mu, Adv. Funct. Mater. 30 (2020) 2001097. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202001097
41. [41]
  A. Cabrera-Codony, M.A. Montes-Morán, M. Sánchez-Polo, M.J. Martín, R. Gonzalez-Olmos, Environ. Sci. Technol. 48 (2014) 7187–7195. doi: 10.1021/es501274a
42. [42]
  J.R. Pels, F. Kapteijn, J.A. Moulijn, Q. Zhu, K.M. Thomas, Carbon 33 (1995) 1641–1653. doi: 10.1016/0008-6223(95)00154-6
43. [43]
  L.G. Cançado, A. Jorio, E.H.M. Ferreira, et al., Nano Lett. 11 (2011) 3190–3196. doi: 10.1021/nl201432g
44. [44]
  M.A. Short, P.L. Walker, Carbon 1 (1963) 3–9.
45. [45]
  F. Sun, X. Liu, H.B. Wu, et al., Nano Lett. 18 (2018) 3368–3376. doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b00134
46. [46]
  F.L. Coffman, R. Cao, P.A. Pianetta, S. Kapoor, M. Kelly, L.J. Terminello, Appl. Phys. Lett. 69 (1996) 568–570. doi: 10.1063/1.117789
47. [47]
  Y. Zheng, Y. Jiao, Y. Zhu, et al., Nat. Commun. 5 (2014) 3783. doi: 10.1038/ncomms4783
48. [48]
  A. Milev, N. Tran, K. Kannangara, M. Wilson, Sci. Technol. Adv. Mater. 7 (2006) 834–838. doi: 10.1016/j.stam.2006.11.010
49. [49]
  C. Wang, D. Liu, S. Chen, et al., Small 12 (2016) 5684–5691. doi: 10.1002/smll.201601738
50. [50]
  J. Wang, C. Ke, X. Jia, et al., Appl. Catal. B 283 (2020) 119650.
51. [51]
  R. Yan, T. Chin, Y.L. Ng, et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. 38 (2004) 316–323. doi: 10.1021/es0303992
52. [52]
  F. Adib, A. Bagreev, T.J. Bandosz, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 39 (2000) 2439–2446. doi: 10.1021/ie990926j
53. [53]
  J. Klein, K. -D. Henning, Fuel 63 (1984) 1064–1067. doi: 10.1016/0016-2361(84)90189-3
54. [54]
  Z. Wang, K. Xie, B. Jiang, S. Zuo, Q. Wang, J. Hazard. Mater. 435 (2022) 128950. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128950
55. [55]
  X. Zhang, K. Yue, R. Rao, et al., Appl. Catal. B 310 (2022) 121300. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2022.121300
56. [56]
  J.P. Boudou, A. Martinez-Alonzo, J.M.D. Tascon, Carbon 38 (2000) 1021–1029. doi: 10.1016/S0008-6223(99)00209-2
57. [57]
  G. Su, Y. He, L. Xie, et al., Ind. Crops Prod. 215 (2024) 118607. doi: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.118607
58. [58]
  J. An, Y. Wang, J. Lu, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 140 (2018) 4172–4181. doi: 10.1021/jacs.8b01742
59. [59]
  V. Boosa, S. Varimalla, M. Dumpalapally, et al., Appl. Catal. B 292 (2021) 120177.
60. [60]
  S. Lijuan, Z. Xiaohai, L. Ganchang, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 346 (2018) 238–248. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2018.03.157
61. [61]
  Z. Liu, Z. Zhao, Y. Wang, et al., Adv. Mater. 29 (2017) 1606207. doi: 10.1002/adma.201606207
62. [62]
  V.V. Strelko, V.S. Kuts, P.A. Thrower, Carbon 38 (2000) 1499–1503. doi: 10.1016/S0008-6223(00)00121-4
63. [63]
  A. Givan, A. Loewenschuss, C.J. Nielsen, M. Rozenberg, J. Mol. Struct. 830 (2007) 21–34. doi: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2006.06.027
64. [64]
  M. Waqif, P. Bazin, O. Saur, et al., Appl. Catal. B 11 (1997) 193–205. doi: 10.1016/S0926-3373(96)00040-9
65. [65]
  D. Kiani, I.E. Wachs, ACS Catal 14 (2024) 16551–17208. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.4c05019
1. [1]
  Ziruo Zhou , Wenyu Guo , Tingyu Yang , Dandan Zheng , Yuanxing Fang , Xiahui Lin , Yidong Hou , Guigang Zhang , Sibo Wang . Defect and nanostructure engineering of polymeric carbon nitride for visible-light-driven CO2 reduction. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(3): 100245-100245. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100245
2. [2]
  He Guo , Yongchun Wang , Junlei Wang , Shoufeng Tang , Tiecheng Wang . Review on application of non-thermal plasma for disinfection: Direct plasma and indirect plasma-activated water. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(2): 111275-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111275
3. [3]
  Peng Zhang , Yitao Yang , Tian Qin , Xueqiu Wu , Yuechang Wei , Jing Xiong , Xi Liu , Yu Wang , Zhen Zhao , Jinqing Jiao , Liwei Chen . Interface engineering of Pt/CeO₂-{100} catalysts for enhancing catalytic activity in auto-exhaust carbon particles oxidation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(2): 110396-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110396
4. [4]
  Na Li , Wenxue Wang , Peng Wang , Zhanying Sun , Xinlong Tian , Xiaodong Shi . Dual-defect engineering of catalytic cathode materials for advanced lithium-sulfur batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(3): 110731-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110731
5. [5]
  Shiyu Wei , Xiang Li , Chao Huang , Dongmei Chen , Shunlin Zhang , Bixue Zhu . Enhanced PFOA removal via defect engineering in NH₂-UiO-66. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(5): 111858-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111858
6. [6]
  Zhiyuan Shen , Tianyi Li , Zijie Zhang , Jiani Liu , Jun Wu , Qing Li , Fulan Wei . Carbon monoxide-engineered M2 exosomes enhance osteoimmunology and promote alveolar bone regeneration. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(7): 111641-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111641
7. [7]
  Sijia Zhang , Guangyu Bi , Wen-Qiang Li , Yang Wang , Xian-Yang Shi . Activated energy transfer pathway in carbon nitride nanosheets promotes molecular oxygen activation for robust and efficient water decontamination. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(4): 111463-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111463
8. [8]
  Qing Li , Yumei Feng , Yingjie Yu , Yazhou Chen , Yuhua Xie , Fang Luo , Zehui Yang . Engineering e_g filling of RuO₂ enables a robust and stable acidic water oxidation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(3): 110612-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110612
9. [9]
  Yan Zou , Yuting Xue , Chenxue Du , Wenyang Fu , Bin Xia , Yu He , Liang Ao , Xiaoshu Lv , Guangming Jiang . Anhydrous sodium sulfate microparticles for efficient water separation from surfactant-stabilized water-in-oil emulsions. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(11): 110814-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110814
10. [10]
  Zhou Li , Mengxue Yu , Shixin Chang , Zhibin Huang , Zhenmin Cheng , Weibin Zhang , Sónia A. C. Carabineiro , Zhigao Xu , Kangle Lv . Enhancing the photocatalytic activity of crystalline g-C3N4 towards NO oxidation and CO2 reduction through K+-doping and cyano defect engineering. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2026, 45(1): 100698-100698. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2025.100698
11. [11]
  Xinyu Guo , Chang Li , Wenjun Deng , Yi Zhou , Yan Chen , Yushuang Xu , Rui Li . Phase engineering and heteroatom incorporation enable defect-rich MoS₂ for long life aqueous iron-ion batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(3): 109715-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109715
12. [12]
  Zhixue Liu , Haiqi Chen , Lijuan Guo , Xinyao Sun , Zhi-Yuan Zhang , Junyi Chen , Ming Dong , Chunju Li . Luminescent terphen[3]arene sulfate-activated FRET assemblies for cell imaging. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(9): 109666-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109666
13. [13]
  Yan Zhao , Zhenming Tian , Qisen Jia , Ting Yao , Jiashu Li , Yanan Wang , Xuejing Cui , Jing Liu , Xin Chen , Luhua Jiang . Crystal orientation dependent charge transfer dynamics and interfacial water configuration boosting photoelectrocatalytic water oxidation to H2O2. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2025, 44(7): 100619-100619. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2025.100619
14. [14]
  Ping Lu , Baoyin Du , Ke Liu , Ze Luo , Abiduweili Sikandaier , Lipeng Diao , Jin Sun , Luhua Jiang , Yukun Zhu . Heterostructured In2O3/In2S3 hollow fibers enable efficient visible-light driven photocatalytic hydrogen production and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(8): 100361-100361. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100361
15. [15]
  Kairong Yang , Bingbing Zheng , Fapu Wu , Bijia Zhou , Lijun Li , Hu Xiong . H₂S-activated near-infrared fluorescent probe for detecting colon cancer and rapid fecal analysis. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(4): 111235-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111235
16. [16]
  Jia-Mei Qin , Xue Li , Wei Lang , Fu-Hao Zhang , Qian-Yong Cao . An AIEgen nano-assembly for simultaneous detection of ATP and H₂S. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(6): 108925-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108925
17. [17]
  Guo-Hong Gao , Run-Ze Zhao , Ya-Jun Wang , Xiao Ma , Yan Li , Jian Zhang , Ji-Sen Li . Core–shell heterostructure engineering of CoP nanowires coupled NiFe LDH nanosheets for highly efficient water/seawater oxidation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(8): 109181-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109181
18. [18]
  Congzhao Dong , Yajun Zhang , Yingpu Bi , Zeyu Li , Yong Ding . Band structure engineering of phosphorus doped Ta₃N₅ for efficient photoelectrochemical water oxidation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(12): 111449-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111449
19. [19]
  Sanmei Wang , Dengxin Yan , Wenhua Zhang , Liangbing Wang . Graphene-supported isolated platinum atoms and platinum dimers for CO₂ hydrogenation: Catalytic activity and selectivity variations. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(4): 110611-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110611
20. [20]
  Rui HUANG , Shengjie LIU , Qingyuan WU , Nanfeng ZHENG . Enhanced selectivity of catalytic hydrogenation of halogenated nitroaromatics by interfacial effects. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 41(1): 201-212. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240356

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(0)
Abstract views(17)
HTML views(0)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142

Plasma-engineered activated carbon fibers for boosting sulfate selectivity and regeneration performance in room-temperature malodorous H2S catalytic oxidation

Metrics

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

Plasma-engineered activated carbon fibers for boosting sulfate selectivity and regeneration performance in room-temperature malodorous H₂S catalytic oxidation