The adsorption and decomposition of SF6 over defective and hydroxylated MgO surfaces: A DFT study

Abstract

Plasma degradation is one of the most effective methods for the abatement of greenhouse gas sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). To evaluate the potential of MgO as a catalyst in plasma degradation, we investigate the catalytic properties of MgO on SF6 adsorption and activation by density functional theory (DFT) where the O-defective and hydroxylated surfaces are considered as two typical plasma-generated surfaces. Our results show that perfect MgO (001) and (111) surfaces cannot interact with SF6 and only physical adsorption happens. In case of O-defective MgO surfaces, the O vacancy is the most stable adsorption site. SF6 undergoes a decomposition to SF5 and F over the O-defective MgO (001) surface and undergoes an elongation of the bottom S-F bond over the O-defective (111) surface. Besides, SF6 shows a physically adsorption at the stepsite of the MgO (001) surface, accompanied by small changes in its bond angle and length. Furthermore, SF6 is found to be physically and chemically adsorbed over 0.5 and 1.0 ML (monolayer) H-covered O-terminated MgO (111) surfaces, respectively. The SF6 molecule undergoes a self-decomposition on the 1.0 ML hydroxylated surface via a surface bonding process. This study shows that defective and hydroxylated MgO surfaces have the surface capacities for SF6 activation, which shows that MgO has potential as packing material in SF6 waste treatment in packed-bed plasmas.