Two‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell/Monte Carlo simulations of streamer formation and propagation in catalyst pores in a surface dielectric barrier discharge

Abstract

AbstractPlasma catalysis is attracting great interest due to its synergistic combination of catalytic and plasma reactor processes. To provide possible controlling methods to this tunability, two‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell/Monte Carlo simulations are applied to investigate the propagation mechanisms of plasma streamers in the porous catalyst in a surface dielectric barrier discharge. Dry air at atmospheric pressure is investigated under a subnanosecond voltage pulse. The results show that the presence of the catalyst pores could enhance the steamer intensity and control the direction of the streamers, yielding highly concentrated reactive species inside catalyst pores. The streamer propagation speed is enhanced by increasing the strength of cathode voltage. These high‐density plasma streamers with controllable direction could benefit many applications in plasma‐enhanced catalysis.