Adsorption and transfer behaviors of hydrogen on Fe1-xS catalysts for direct coal liquefaction

•Chemical adsorption and desorption of hydrogen on Fe1-xS catalyst were first confirmed.•Maximum amount of H chemically adsorbed on Fe1-xS in pre-sulfidation is 8.20 mmol/g.•There was thermodynamic equilibrium for dehydrogenation of Fe1-xS in anthracene systems.•The dehydrogenation amounts are up to 2.37 mmol/g in anthracene systems at 420 °C.•The re-hydrogenation of Fe1-xS can be performed in H2 and H2 + tetralin systems.