Plasma-assisted n-butane conversion combined with a catalyst

In-plasma catalysis offers a promising route for the synthesis of chemicals and the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as n-butane (n-C₄H₁₀). Recently, different reaction kinetic models for the plasma-assisted conversion of n-butane have been proposed [1]. However, the mechanisms taking place between plasma and catalyst are still not well understood.

In this study, two different catalytic materials manganese dioxide (MnO₂) and cubic barium titanate (BaTiO₃) are investigated and are introduced in a capacitively coupled plasma generated at 13.56 MHz under atmospheric pressure, to oxidize 0.31 sccm n-C₄H₁₀ (n-C₄H₁₀:O₂ = 1:6.5) admixed to 250 sccm helium. Operando Fourier-transform infrared measurements have been performed to monitor the reaction products inside the plasma for different plasma powers at room temperature.

The comparison of both catalysts reveals that MnO₂ is less active than cubic BaTiO_3, since the concentration of carbon dioxide was lower and the concentration of carbon monoxide higher in the plasma combined with cubic BaTiO₃ than in the cases with and without MnO_2. This highlights the potential of cubic BaTiO₃ for enhanced VOC conversion in atmospheric pressure plasmas.















[1] D. Reiser and A. von Keudell, Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing (2024).