Using a sol-gel method, supported and unsupported LaxFeyOz sorbents were prepared. The effects of composition of sorbent, reaction temperature. WHSV, hot coal gas composition, reactor types and support on the breakthrough sulfur capacities were investigated. When the content of H2S is 0.86% (vol.) in the feed gas, the breakthrough sulfur capacity of 50% LaxFeyOz/MCM-41 (La:Fe = 1:2) achieved 7.94 g S/100 g sorbent, and approximately 63.9% of theoretical sulfur capacity was utilized. The results of ten successive desulfurization-regeneration cycles revealed that 50% LaxFeyOz/MCM-41 (La:Fe = 1:2) sorbent presented high performance and stability for hot coal gas desulfurization. The sorbents were characterized by means of BET, XRD, XPS techniques. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.