Abstract: A method for selectively oxidizing hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur is disclosed. The method is performed at a temperature ranged from 50 to 400° C. and at a pressure ranged from 0.1 to 50 atm. The elemental sulfur can be effectively recovered from a gas mixture containing hydrogen sulfide in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst includes a vanadium-containing material and a catalytic substance selected from the group consisting of scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y), lanthanum (La), samarium (Sm) and compounds thereof. In another embodiment, this catalyst further includes an antimony-containing promoter (antimony compounds) which further exhibit a more effective catalytic performance.