(145d) Plasma-Assisted Catalytic Approaches for the Production of Chemicals

Plasma-assisted catalysis has grown rapidly in the past few years as a nonthermal, ambient pressure approach to activate stable molecules (e.g., N2). Utilizing renewable energy, plasma processes have the potential to reduce the CO2 footprint compared to thermal processes, and convert reactants at point sources owing to the modular nature of these systems. Our research in the area of plasma-assisted catalysis is focused on the ability to control the catalyst performance by tuning the plasma environment or plasma-catalyst interactions. We have been particularly interested in the use of nonthermal plasmas for C-H and N2 activation via dry reforming of methane and ammonia synthesis reactions, respectively. In recent publications from our groups, we observed remarkable synergy between the plasma and catalyst for NH3 synthesis from N2/H2: 1) the rate enhancements with plasma stimulation were more sensitive to N2 concentration, 2) the ideal catalyst was not the same in a plasma environment as in traditional thermal catalysis, and 3) NH3 yields above the thermal equilibrium limits were observed and sensitive to the catalyst composition. Further advances in plasma-assisted catalysis requires the fundamental knowledge of plasma interactions with catalyst surfaces. However, the consequences of plasma activation for the interaction of gas species with a catalyst surface are currently speculative, and observation of these species on the surface is very challenging. This presentation will focus on exploiting catalyst-plasma interactions for nitrogen and hydrocarbon activation, and the role of the plasma in enhancing catalytic performance.