Electron dynamics in radio-frequency driven micro atmospheric plasma jets for CO2 conversion

The CO2 conversion into CO and O2 is a current research topic in the low temperature plasma community. In contrast to thermal conversion, radio frequency plasmas at atmospheric pressures are able to control the electron energy distribution function, and thus, the dissociation pathway of CO2 (excitation of vibrational levels).

In this work, the CO2 conversion efficiency in a radio frequency driven microscopic atmospheric pressure plasma jet is studied. Different co-reactant gases, such as argon and helium, are applied in order to improve the CO2 conversion process. The validity of the chemistry data set is investigated by global and plug flow models using globalKin simulations. Subsequently, 2D fluid simulations with nonPDPSIM are performed to study the plasma and gas dynamics in the COST reference plasma jet. Both simulation models are developed by Prof. Mark Kushner from the University of Michigan. In particular, the effect of the power coupling to the electrons in combination with the chosen co-reactant gas is to demonstrate that an energy-efficient channel for CO2 dissociation can be provided.