Synergistic effect of silent discharge plasma and catalysts on benzene decomposition

Methods for hybridization of silent discharge plasma and catalysts in different forms are presented, and their synergy in benzene decomposition is discussed. TiO₂ deposition on the inside wall of the coaxial type of the silent discharge plasma reactor promotes benzene decomposition in air and increases CO₂ yield. TiO₂-silica gel granules housed inside of the punched internal electrodes also facilitate the oxidative decomposition of benzene. Comparison of the TiO₂ surface before and after the reactions by FTIR suggests that the positive effect of TiO ₂ can be ascribed to the active oxygen species generated on its surface. Replacement of TiO₂-silica gel by MnO₂ also promotes the oxidative decomposition of benzene in silent discharge plasma. Ozone, which is generated from gaseous oxygen, is decomposed by MnO ₂, but not by TiO₂. Catalytic effects of TiO₂ and MnO₂ can be ascribed to formation of active oxygen species on their surfaces and that of the triplet oxygen atom from ozone on the MnO ₂ surface. It has been shown that both of TiO₂ and MnO₂ can sustain their catalytic activities in silent discharge plasma.