MCM-48 was synthesized using a rapid and facile process at room temperature. A series of 50%Zn-Fe-Mn/MCM-48 sorbents were prepared and their performance of hot coal gas desulfurization was investigated. High breakthrough sulfur capacity (13.2 g-S/100 g sorbent) and utilization (66.1%) of 50%1Zn2Fe2Mn/MCM-48 sorbent at 550 degrees C was achieved. The characterization results of XRD, BET, TPR and FT-IR revealed that MCM-48 had excellent thermal stability at less than 700 degrees C, ZnMn2O4 and (Mn, Zn)Fe2O4 were mainly active particles in fresh sorbents which were highly dispersed on support. The MCM-48 mesoporous structure remained intact after eight successive desulfurization/regeneration cycles. The regeneration process of 50%1Zn2Fe2Mn/MCM-48 sorbent was analyzed, it indicated that the breakthrough sulfur capacity decline of sorbent was due to the migration of Zn onto the sorbent surface and Zn accumulated on the surface and vaporized to the exterior from the surface. In the TPO test, the oxidation of Zn was different for 50%Zn/MCM-48 at 700 degrees C. It revealed that the temperature of regeneration for ZnO sorbent should be higher than 700 degrees C. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.