Plasma-enabled electrification of chemical processes toward decarbonization of society

Abstract

Since the last decade, research on plasma catalysis has attracted keen attention as an emerging type of low-carbon technology. An advantage of plasma is to facilitate non-equilibrium reaction fields on a large scale, which is inaccessible by conventional thermal approaches. Stable molecules such as CO2 and CH4 are activated by electrical energy, paving the way for low-temperature chemistry that departs from energy-intensive heat-dependent systems. Moreover, the power-to-chemical concept could gain momentum with plasma technologies that are driven by renewable energy. Currently, research is accelerating with application initiatives, but at the same time the importance of scientific understanding of plasma catalytic reactions is being recognized more than ever. This review article offers an overview of various plasma technologies in the “plasma alone” and “plasma-catalyst combination” context. Plasma-catalyst combination technology, known as “plasma catalysis”, is discussed further to dry methane reforming (CH4 + CO2 = 2CO + 2H2) and the reverse water gas shift reaction (CO2 + H2 = CO + H2O) for a mechanistic insight.