Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a highly toxic and corrosive gas that poses significant environmental and industrial challenges, particularly within the wastewater treatment and oil and gas sectors. H2S leakage is among the deadliest industrial hazards, highlighting the urgent need for the development of highly efficient, non-corrosive adsorbents. This dissertation provides an in-depth examination of the use of metal-zeolites for H2S capture. We carefully investigate the impact of multiple divalent and one monovalent transition metals on LTA zeolites to optimize H2S removal. While Linde Type A (LTA) zeolites offer a robust structural framework for gas separation, a comprehensive understanding of how varying cationic environments influence H2S adsorption remains crucial. This study first reviews the adsorption properties of Zn-LTA as a reusable catalyst. Advanced crystallographic techniques were then employed to determine the locations of cations and bound sulfur within the LTA cages. Subsequently, a comparative analysis was conducted on Ni2+, Co2+, and Fe2+ modified LTA zeolites. Building upon the structural insights gained from Zn-LTA, the research further explored the structural properties of Ni-LTA zeolites. Finally, the study examined how modifying LTA zeolites with monovalent silver (Ag+) could enhance H2S capture at lower temperatures. Among the five transition metals examined, Zn-LTA demonstrates a notable ability to capture sulfur and regenerate effectively, as evidenced by EDX, BET, XRD, IR, XPS, and SSNMR. The Ni-LTA samples consistently performed even better than the Zn-modified LTA under the same high-temperature conditions. The Ag-LTA did not display effective H2S capture and removal efficiency at lower working temperatures. Ultimately, this study establishes a comprehensive framework for understanding the intercalation of ions within the LTA structure, paving the way for the design of tailored, high-performance metal-zeolite adsorbents for H2S removal.

Degree

PhD

College and Department

Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences; Chemistry and Biochemistry

Rights

https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2026-08-11

Document Type

Dissertation

Keywords

Linde Type A (LTA) zeolites, transition metals, sulfur capture, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinements

Language

english

Download

Share

COinS