The primary product of coal gasification processes is synthesis gas (syngas), a mixture of CO, H 2 , CO 2 , H 2 O and a number of minor components. Among the most significant minor components in syngas is hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S). In addition to its adverse environmental impact, H 2 S poisons the catalysts and hydrogen purification membranes, and causes severe corrosion in gas turbines. Technologies that can remove H 2 S from syngas and related process streams are, therefore, of considerable practical interest. To meet this need, we work towards understanding the mechanism by which prospective H 2 S catalysts perform in simulated fuel gas conditions. Specifically, we show that for low-temperature gas clean-up (*1408C) using activated carbon fibers and water plays a significant role in H 2 S binding and helps to prolong the lifetime of the material. Basic surface functional groups were found to be imperative for significant conversion of H 2 S to daughter compounds, whereas metal oxides (La and Ce) did little to enhance this catalysis. We show that although thermal regeneration of the material is possible, the regenerated material has a substantially lower catalytic and sorption capacity.