Entropy of the surface catalytic reaction: Expansion of the advanced H2S paradigm to novel catalytic systems

Abstract

The main provisions of the recently developed concept of the crucial role of catalysts in the process of low-temperature decomposition of H₂S to produce hydrogen and elemental sulfur are considered. The concept is based on the non-equilibrium thermodynamics of an irreversible process in an open system. It is shown that irreversible chemical reactions prohibited in the gas phase take place on the catalyst surface under conditions of non-equilibrium thermodynamics at ambient temperature and pressure. This became possible due to the Gibbs free energy accumulated on the catalyst surface as a result of exothermic processes of chemisorption and dissociation of H₂S molecules and the dissipation of entropy in the form of bound energy into the environment. The innovative proposed method of H₂S utilization will replace the long-outdated Claus method of H₂S disposal with the production of water and sulfur (up to 100 million tons per year, more than 1,000 units in the world) with advanced technology to produce hydrogen and diatomic gaseous sulfur. Various types of solid catalysts have been developed to implement advanced technology. The advanced H₂S paradigm of catalytic processing allows unexpected chemical reactions to be realized that cannot be carried out by traditional methods under normal conditions. Atomically adsorbed hydrogen and sulfur species formed as a result of H₂S dissociation can react with chemically inert molecules of methane, CO₂, nitrogen, and argon. It is concluded that at the moment all prerequisites have been created for initiating full-scale scientific, technological, and commercial projects to implement the innovative idea of using the toxic substance H₂S to serve humanity.