Redox Dynamics of Co3O4(111) During H2S Adsorption and Decomposition: A Synchrotron Radiation Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study

Hauner J, Skála T, Tsud N, Stavale F, Lykhach Y, Libuda J (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

ChemCatChem Wiley-VCH Verlag

Book Volume: 18

Article Number: e01491

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202501491

Abstract

The redox interactions between transition metal oxides and sulfur-containing compounds play a key role in catalytic processes and gas sensing technologies. In this study, we investigated the redox dynamics of Co3O4(111)/Ir(100) model catalysts in response to the adsorption and decomposition of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) using synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy. Upon adsorption at 300 K, H2S partially dissociates to form a mixture of SO3²⁻, S²⁻, OH⁻, SH⁻, and chemisorbed H2S. Subsequent annealing in ultrahigh vacuum induces H2 desorption below 400 K followed by desorption of H2S and H2O above 400 K. At temperatures exceeding 500 K, S²⁻ is progressively oxidized to SO3²⁻ and subsequently to SO4²⁻. These transformations are accompanied by temperature-dependent redox processes involving the Co3O4(111) surface: initial reduction upon formation of SO3²⁻ species at 300 K, partial re-oxidation upon H2 desorption, and further reduction with H2O release. Above 550 K, annealing induces charge redistribution and lattice oxygen migration, leading to a more homogeneous stoichiometry of the Co3O4(111) film. This phenomenon reduces the redox response to chemical transformations at the surface. The obtained insights into H2S–Co3O4 redox interactions provide a foundation for the rational design of cobalt oxide-based catalytic gas sensors.

Authors with CRIS profile

Jonas Hauner Lehrstuhl für Katalytische Grenzflächenforschung Yaroslava Lykhach Lehrstuhl für Katalytische Grenzflächenforschung Jörg Libuda Lehrstuhl für Katalytische Grenzflächenforschung

Involved external institutions

Univerzita Karlova v Praze / Charles University in Prague

Czech Republic (CZ) Brazilian Center for Physics Research / Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas (CBPF)

Brazil (BR)

How to cite

APA:

Hauner, J., Skála, T., Tsud, N., Stavale, F., Lykhach, Y., & Libuda, J. (2026). Redox Dynamics of Co3O4(111) During H2S Adsorption and Decomposition: A Synchrotron Radiation Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study. ChemCatChem, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.202501491

MLA:

Hauner, Jonas, et al. "Redox Dynamics of Co3O4(111) During H2S Adsorption and Decomposition: A Synchrotron Radiation Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study." ChemCatChem 18.2 (2026).

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