Photocatalytic Transformation of H2S Plentiful-Perilous Pollutant to Hydrogen Clean Fuel and Sulfur Element Using MnS Nanostructured Energy-Material

In this work, a nanostructured/mesoporous p-type, low-price, stable mangranese sulfide semiconductor was synthesized and employed under ambient temperature and pressure conditions, to produce hydrogren and sulfur through photocatalytic transformation of an H2S-containing alkaline solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning and transmission electron microscopy (FESEM, TEM), and adsorption-desorption isotherm (BET) analyses proved a nanostructured morphologry for the synthesized energry material. Moreover, usingr diffuse reflectance UV-vis. spectroscopic (DRS) and electrochemical impedance data (Mott-Schottky diagram), bandgap energy and flat-band as well as valence and conduction bands’ potentials were determined for this semiconductor material. Photocatalytic investigations revealed a good potency for the synthesized material to produce hydrogen fuel and sulfur element [quantum yield: 12% measured at 434 nm]. Furthermore, after 3- hours operation of the reactor containing 0.2 g photocatalyst, the extent of hydrogen gas and sulfur product were obtained 1350 µmol and 42 mgr, respectively.