In this paper, a series of Co-doped alpha-FeOOH (Goethite) is prepared via a simple co-precipitation method. The obtained samples are characterized in detail by the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), N-2 adsorption desorption isotherms, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Raman spectroscopy and electron spin resonance (ESR). H2S adsorption experiments indicate that the Co-doped alpha-FeOOH samples show strikingly high breakthrough sulfur capacity at low temperature (25 degrees C). The maximum count reaches 53.2% at Co/Fe = 0.07, which is much higher compared to that of the undoped alpha-FeOOH sample. The improved activity could be mainly attributed to the larger surface area of alpha-FeOOH and the increased lattice defects like oxygen vacancy arising from the incorporation of Co2+ into alpha-FeOOH structure. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.