Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is one of the most poisonous and corrosive chemical substances existing in several natural and industrial gas streams, further considered as a valuable H-2 source. Hence, H2S decomposition to H-2 is of paramount importance toward a sustainable energy future. In the present work, the catalytic decomposition of H2S is explored in the temperature range of 550-850 degrees C and at atmospheric pressure, employing a series of ceria-based transition metal composites (i.e., Co, Ni, Fe, and Cu) as catalysts. Various characterization methods, involving BET, XRD, SEM, XPS and elemental analysis, were employed to reveal possible relationships between the obtained catalytic performance and catalysts physicochemical characteristics. The best activity and stability behaviour was exhibited by the 20 wt.% Co/CeO2 catalyst, achieving H2S conversions close to thermodynamic equilibrium. The superiority of Co/CeO2 catalyst is mainly attributed to its in situ reduction and sulfation, toward the formation of highly active and stable phases (Co1-x S-y and Ce10S14Oy) for H2S decomposition. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.