Abstract
If a number of literature studies point at the positive role of coupling materials with non-thermal plasma, particularly for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) removal, most of them focus on the direct plasma-material interaction to understand the coupling. However, a key contribution relies in the VOC–material interaction. Therefore, this study focuses on the adsorption step of targeted VOCs to provide a new insight on plasma–material coupling. The adsorption of acetone, used as probe VOC, is explored on two widespread coupling materials: TiO2 and CeO2. First, their behaviors are compared regarding acetone uptake. This process is reactive and creates other organic species than acetone on both surfaces. Second, the metal oxide behaviors are compared regarding ozone uptake. Interestingly, under typical VOC treatment configuration, i.e., with organics on their surfaces, ozone uptake is driven by the adsorbed organics, not directly by the metal oxides anymore. Finally, the ozonation of both materials, preliminary exposed to acetone, is explored through the evolution of the adsorbed organics and the corresponding mineralization, i.e., CO and CO2 formation. It evidences that the reactive adsorption of VOCs plays a key role in making the surface organics ready for an efficient oxidation and mineralization under post-plasma exposure.
Highlights
When the synergetic effect resulting from the coupling of non-thermal plasma with materials was evidenced in the early 2000s, the origin of such a positive interaction for the removal of pollutants was questioned and addressed
This work aims at deepening our understanding of the contribution of the surface properties of coupling materials in the plasma–catalytic systems applied to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) removal
The presence of surface species on both metal oxides once acetone is introduced in the DRIFT cell is attested by the growth of various absorption bands with time on their respec
Summary
When the synergetic effect resulting from the coupling of non-thermal plasma with materials was evidenced in the early 2000s, the origin of such a positive interaction for the removal of pollutants was questioned and addressed. The specific surface provided by the solid to the gas phase and to the plasma generated species was identified as a driver of the coupling process [2] This point promoted the coupling of non-thermal plasma discharges with solids characterized by high porosity and large specific surface area such as zeolites and activated carbons. The composition and the surface chemistry of the coupling material was evidenced as the key driver of the coupling, for the in-plasma and for the postplasma configuration [3,4] These findings oriented the investigation of the plasma-catalyst coupling toward the exploration of the surface processes involved [5] and the development of relevant experimental approaches to explore the underlying heterogeneous physical chemistry [6,7]
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