Zinc oxide-based sorbents, and processes for preparing and using them are provided,
wherein the sorbents are preferably used to remove one or more reduced sulfur species
from gas streams. The sorbents contain an active zinc component, optionally in
combination with one or more promoter components and/or one or more substantially
inert components. The active zinc component is a two phase material, consisting
essentially of a zinc oxide (ZnO) phase and a zinc aluminate (ZnAl2O4)
phase. Each of the two phases is characterized by a relatively small crystallite
size of typically less than about 500 Angstroms. Preferably the sorbents are prepared
by converting a precursor mixture, containing a precipitated zinc oxide precursor
and a precipitated aluminum oxide precursor, to the two-phase, active zinc oxide
containing component.