Recent Advances in Desulfurization of VOSCs: Multiple Catalysts and Coupling Enzymes

Abstract

The presence of volatile organic sulfur compounds (VOSCs) poses serious hazards to both the environment and human health, highlighting the importance and urgency of developing efficient abatement technologies. Effective desulfurization catalysts should demonstrate sufficient catalytic activity at low temperatures, high selectivity, and robust resistance to carbon and sulfur. Achieving these attributes needs careful optimization of three key factors of the catalysts: acidity, redox properties, and active oxygen species. In this review, we explore the design and optimization of multiple catalysts by focusing on the three key factors mentioned. We also discuss the synergistic degradation of multicomponent VOSCs, along with the mechanism of catalytic reaction, catalyst deactivation, and regeneration. It is noteworthy that an innovative catalysis at room temperature is highlighted, which combines chemical and biological methods to enhance the desulfurization performance through the integration of enzymes and inorganic components. The catalytic reaction mechanism and the catalyst design by coupling the biological enzymes and inorganic substances to achieve room catalysis is systemically elaborated. It is hopeful that this review will inspire researchers in academia and industry and promote their collaborations to address future environmental desulfurization challenges by combining chemical and biological approaches.