Magnesium oxide and its composites with Fe2O3 or SiO2 particles were prepared by an aerogel method for the removal of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (2-CEES) under ambient condition. Their sorption capacity and reactivity were evaluated by breakthrough experiments using 2-CEES of 0.26 pg/mL in N flow. The surface area and sorption capacity of aerogel MgO (AP-MgO) were about five times greater than those of commercial MgO. All of the prepared materials could decompose 2-CEES at 25 degrees C with different conversion degrees. The reactivity of MgO center dot Fe2O3 composites was higher than that of AP-Mg and MgO center dot SiO2. On the other hand, the increased surface area, imparted by the addition of SiO2, led to the enhanced sorption capacity (49.3 mg/g). The order of sorption capacity was MgO-SiO2 > AP-MgO > MgO center dot Fe2O3, but the order of reactivity was MgO-Fe2O3 > AP-MgO > MgO center dot SiO2. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.