CeO2 supported vanadium catalysts at different V2O5 loads (2.55-20.00 wt%) were tested for the selective catalytic H2S oxidation to sulfur at low temperature. The aim of the work is to investigate the effect of temperature and contact time in order to realize in one step a very high H2S conversion, minimizing SO2 formation. Catalytic activity tests showed in the range 2.55-20.00 wt% the effect of the vanadium loading plays a major role on sulfur selectivity. In particular, the 20.00 wt% V2O5/CeO2 catalyst was the most interesting sample with a selectivity to sulfur of 99%. The H2S conversion calculated experimentally at 150 degrees C is 98.7%, very close to that obtained by thermodynamic equilibrium calculations, corresponding to 99%. Interesting results were also obtained from the preliminary tests on the effect of the contact time, suggesting information relating to the reaction behavior as well as helping to identify the optimal operating conditions capable of minimizing SO2 selectivity. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.