Fine ZnO powder with high sulfur capacity was prepared by mechanical alloying of Zn(s) + S(s) followed by an oxidation treatment under air at 700 degrees C. X-ray diffraction measurements coupled with other characterization techniques enabled us to study the conversion of ZnS into ZnO and vice versa. This ZnO powder was implemented for gas desulfurization. These tests were performed at 400 degrees C using an experimental setup monitoring the exhaust gas composition for a feed gas mixture N-2/H2S with a H2S content of 1000 ppmv. The measured sulfur capacity was equal to 272 mg S/g adsorbent. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.