Relating atmospheric pressure plasma production of nitrate to electrical parameters

Atmospheric pressure plasma production of nitrate has demonstrated potential in various biological applications, such as agriculture. Water in close proximity to these plasmas can absorb nitrate and then be applied to plants as fertilizer [1, 2]. In order for plasma production of nitrate to be industrially viable, it is important to characterize and optimize this process. An atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge is investigated. The device is electrically characterized to determine discharge current, dissipated power and plasma events. The concentrations of relevant RONS - nitrate, nitrite, hydrogen peroxide and ammonium - in plasma treated water are measured colorimetrically. The relation between electrical properties - the frequency and number of plasma events, and deposited power - gas temperature, and the production rate of nitrate is investigated. Experiments with deionized water have shown direct correlation between the frequency of plasma events and the production rate of nitrate. These results will be used to inform the optimization of the plasma devices with the goal of energy efficiency and high nitrate production rate to meet the fertilization demands of growing plants.

[1] Ranieri, Pietro, et al. "Plasma agriculture: Review from the perspective of the plant and its ecosystem." Plasma Processes and Polymers 18.1 (2021): 2000162

[2] Puač, N., Gherardi, M., & Shiratani, M. (2017). Plasma agriculture: A rapidly emerging field. Plasma Processes and Polymers, 15(2), 1700174.