The effect of different pulse patterns on the plasma reduction of CO2 for a nanosecond discharge

• Published in: Journal of CO2 utilization Vol. 39; p. 101157
• Main Authors: Montesano, Cesare, Quercetti, Sara, Martini, Luca Matteo, Dilecce, Giorgio, Tosi, Paolo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2020
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide conversion; Nanosecond discharges; Plasma chemistry; Carbon dioxide conversion; Nanosecond discharges; Plasma chemistry
• ISSN: 2212-9820; 2212-9839
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcou.2020.101157

•A nanosecond repetitively pulsed discharge is used to reduce CO2 to CO and O2.•The inter-pulse time is a key parameter to increase both the CO2 dissociation and the energy efficiency.•If the pulses are sufficiently close in time, they do not act independently, and a relevant part of the discharge energy is dissipated in a condition (memory dominated regime) of comparatively lower electron-energy and higher electron-density.•The memory-dominated regime appears to favour vibrational excitation of CO2 eventually leading to a higher dissociation percentage. Endothermic reactions can be used to store renewable electricity in chemical form. Here we report on the reduction of CO2 to CO and O2 using a nanosecond repetitively pulsed discharge at atmospheric pressure. We find that by changing the inter-pulse duration, different values for the CO2 dissociation and energy efficiency can be obtained for the same energy input. This finding opens the way to a better understanding of plasma-based technologies for the valorization of CO2.