Controlling the electron dynamics in radio-frequency driven micro plasma jets for efficient CO2 conversion

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Thomas Mussenbrock
• Subject Area: Electronic Semiconductors, Components and Circuits, Integrated Systems, Sensor Technology, Theoretical Electrical Engineering ; Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: from 2020 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 445072286

The idea of re-using CO2 and converting it into valuable chemicals has been the focus of scientific and public interest for several years. However, it has been shown that thermal CO2 conversion is not very efficient. However, low-temperature plasmas with their "mild" operating conditions that can be controlled in a wide range can be a promising alternative to enabling energy-efficient CO2 conversion using energetic electrons instead of pure heat. In this project, high-frequency driven atmospheric pressure microplasmajets are proposed and the potentials and limits of their application for CO2 conversion are fundamentally investigated based on numerical simulation. In these plasmas it is possible to adjust the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) to control the distribution of energy going into different modes. This should make it possible to create energy-efficient and thus important channels for CO2 dissociation. This applies in particular to the energy component, which goes into the vibrational excitation crucial for efficient dissociation of CO2. In order to control electron dynamics by means of tailored excitation voltage waveform, the origin of the EEDF must be fundamentally understood. The German group will concentrate on the investigation of the coupling between plasma kinetics and EEDF control as well as the different dissociation mechanisms. The Russian group will work on the determination of the vibrational distribution and the neutral chemistry in the effluent of the plasma jet on the long time scale.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Russia
• Partner Organisation: Russian Science Foundation, until 3/2022
• Cooperation Partner: Dr. Natalia Babaeva, until 3/2022