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Cell Biology JoVE (Open Access) Citable · DOI

Non-equilibrium Microwave Plasma for Efficient High Temperature Chemistry

DOI: 10.3791/55066-v
What you'll learn
  • ✓ Set up and operate a flowing microwave plasma reactor system
  • ✓ Measure in situ gas temperature using FTIR spectroscopy
  • ✓ Quantify conversion efficiency of stable molecules (CO2, N2, CH4)
  • ✓ Interpret non-equilibrium chemistry data from plasma diagnostics
Protocol

This article describes a flowing microwave reactor that is used to drive efficient non-equilibrium chemistry for the application of conversion/activation of stable molecules such as CO2, N2 and CH4. The goal of the procedure described here is to measure the in situ gas temperature and gas conversion.

Difficulty
advanced
Total time
~4–6 hours per experimental run (including setup, stabilization, and measurement cycles)

Steps

1
Assemble microwave plasma reactor system

Configure the flowing microwave reactor, including gas inlet lines, plasma chamber, and output sampling ports. Verify proper alignment and sealing of all components.

▶ 00:57
2
Perform FTIR spectroscopy measurements

Set up and calibrate Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to measure gas composition and temperature in situ. Collect baseline and experimental spectra.

▶ 03:18
3
Quantify CO2 conversion in plasma reactor

Operate the microwave plasma on CO2 feedstock and measure conversion rate to CO using FTIR data. Record temperature and conversion efficiency metrics.

▶ 05:08
4
Interpret non-equilibrium chemistry results

Analyze measured gas conversion and temperature data to assess efficiency of non-equilibrium plasma for molecular activation. Summarize key findings and practical implications.

▶ 06:34
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