Advances in Supported Metal Chalcogenides for Elemental Mercury Capture from Industrial Flue Gas

Developing efficient materials and techniques to remove elemental mercury (Hg0) from anthropogenic sources is the key to fulfilling the Minamata Convention and freeing us from a Hg-polluted world. Functionalized substrate-supported metal chalcogenides have been found to be a group of effective sorbents for Hg0 capture from industrial sources in the past decade. However, there is still no work bridging previous achievements and future developments in related areas. This review thus categorized supported metal chalcogenides into six groups and systematically explored the preparation methods, properties, performance, and design logics of supported metal chalcogenides for Hg0 capture from anthropogenic sources. The supporting effects increase the exposure of metal chalcogenides, promote the diffusion of Hg0, combine different active components, improve the resistance to flue gas interference, and serve the recycling of both spent sorbents and mercury resources. Based on systematical discussions, future developmental prospects of supported metal chalcogenides are proposed, aiming to further refine the design logic of materials, develop more effective synthesis methods, and standardize the performance evaluation systems. The main purpose of this work is to guide future research on supported metal chalcogenides for Hg0 removal from anthropogenic sources in the post-Minamata era.