Silane-Based Coatings on Polypropylene,Deposited by Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharge Plasmas

The aim of this paper is to show the possibility to synthesize silicon-based deposits on a polypropylene substrate, using a glow dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure, and to correlate the gas phase behavior with the properties of the thin film deposits. The discharge is generated in a mixture of nitrous oxide and silane, diluted in nitrogen. The influence of the [N₂O]/[SiH₄] ratio on the layer characteristics is mainly studied. Deposits are analyzed by XPS, SSIMS, AFM and wetting angle measurements. The discharges are also characterized by their optical emission spectra. Measurements are made as a function of the distance from the gas inlet, and they allow one to correlate these spectra with the film thickness and its chemical composition. Finally, chemical kinetics of the reactive gas decomposition reactions are proposed.     

甲烷氧等离子体直接合成过氧化氢

本文利用介质阻挡放电(DBD)方法, 在室温和常压下将甲烷和氧气的混合气体进行等离子体活化, 通过甲烷和氧等离子体直接气相反应高收率合成H2O2. 该方法能有效克服氢氧直接法合成H2O2受到原料气配比严格限制的缺点.     

Hydrogen Isotope Exchange Reactions in an Electrical Discharge

Hydrogen isotope exchange reactions occurring in (H₂O, D₂)or (D₂O, H₂) reacting system under a DC electricaldischarge were investigated using spectroscopic methods such asFourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and plasma emission spectroscopy(PES). The progress of the reactions was determined by real-time measurementof the IR absorbance of HDO molecule, a major product of the reaction. Theprogress of the reaction was studied as a function of the temperature, thecurrent density, and the composition of the reactants, while the pressure ofthe system was maintained at approximately 67 mbar. The results revealedthat the discharge method was far more effective in facilating the exchangereaction than was the conventional catalytic method. The (H₂O, D₂)system also generated a significant amount of D₂O besides HDO andHD as the ratio of D₂ to H₂O was increased. Thetransient species of the system, such as H or D atoms, were monitored duringthe discharge using emission spectroscopy. The analysis of the final products by mass spectroscopy confirmed that neither H₂ nor O₂was among the major products of the system in the discharge.     

Characterization of a distributed plasma ionization source (DPIS) for ion mobility spectrometry and mass spectrometry

A recently developed atmospheric pressure ionization source, a distributed plasma ionization source (DPIS), was characterized and compared to commonly used atmospheric pressure ionization sources with both mass spectrometry (MS) and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). The source consisted of two electrodes of different sizes separated by a thin dielectric. Application of a high RF voltage across the electrodes generated plasma in air yielding both positive and negative ions. These reactant ions subsequently ionized the analyte vapors. The reactant ions generated were similar to those created in a conventional point-to-plane corona discharge ion source. The positive reactant ions generated by the source were mass identified as being solvated protons of general formula (H₂O)_nH⁺ with (H₂O)₂H⁺ as the most abundant reactant ion. The negative reactant ions produced were mass identified primarily as CO₃⁻, NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, O₃⁻ and O₂⁻ of various relative intensities. The predominant ion and relative ion ratios varied depending upon source construction and supporting gas flow rates. A few compounds including drugs, explosives and amines were selected to evaluate the new ionization source. The source was operated continuously for 3 months and although surface deterioration was observed visually, the source continued to produce ions at a rate similar that of the initial conditions.     

Transport numbers of H+ and O2- in the electrochemical system (H2 + H2O),Me/BaCe0.9Nd0.1O3-α/Me,(H2 + H2O)

In the temperature range 873–1123 K, transport numbers of oxygen ions and protons are determined in the system (H₂ + H₂O), Me/BaCe_0.9Nd_0.1O_3-α/Me,(H₂ + H₂O), where Me = Ag, Au, Pt, Ni, by the emf and current methods. The determined transport numbers are independent of the determination method, the electrode material, the current direction (anodic and cathodic polarization of the electrode), polarizability of electrodes, and the partial water (hydrogen) pressure in the gas phase. This unambiguously suggests that the transport numbers refer to the solid electrolyte, and not the electrochemical system as a whole. It also follows that partial currents of the hydrogen ionization and the oxygen ion discharge are determined by the transport numbers of protons and oxygen ions in the electrolyte. At a constant temperature, their ratio is affected by neither the electrode potential nor the gas phase composition, i.e., both electrode reactions have a common limiting step (or steps). Deceased.     

Hydrogen diffusivity,kinetics of H2O/H2 charge transfer and corrosion properties of LaNi5-powder,composite electrodes in 6 M KOH solution

Meticulous analysis of galvanostatic charge/discharge dependencies of the LaNi₅-based, powder composite electrode, in terms of determination of characteristic kinetic parameters of hydrogen storage electrode materials working in concentrated alkaline solution has been carried out. A special attention has been paid to the precise determination of charge and discharge times. The cathodic curves reveal their stepwise nature which allows to receive information of hydride material corrosion phenomena and determine the real time of atomic hydrogen absorption. The graphical way of determining of reduction times, based on differential cathodic curves is proposed. The knowledge of hydrogen absorption and desorption times allows to determine hydrogen diffusivity within the tested material with acceptable accuracy. The effect of external pressure (0.5–4 bar) on hydrogen absorption ability of LaNi₅-based material is also discussed. The exchange current density of H₂O/H₂ system distinctly increases with external pressure, at the same time, kind of gas atmosphere (Ar or H₂) scarcely affects the exchange current on the LaNi₅ electrode. The hydrogen capacity increases when the charge/discharge rate decreases. The reduction times of oxide phases formed during electrode discharge can be a measure of material corrosion rate. It is shown that the rate of LaNi₅ corrosion process strongly increases with the electrode cycling.     

Deuterium exchange in the systems of H2O+/H2O and H3O+/H2O

The reactions of H₂O⁺, H₃O⁺, D₂O⁺, and D₃O⁺ with neutral H₂O and D₂O were studied by tandem mass spectrometry. The H₂O⁺ and D₂O⁺ ion reactions exhibited multiple channels, including charge transfer, proton transfer (or hydrogen atom abstraction), and isotopic exchange. The H₃O⁺ and D₃O⁺ ion reactions exhibited only isotope exchange. The variation in the abundances of all ions involved in the reactions was measured over a neutral pressure range from 0 to 2 × 10⁻⁵ Torr. A reaction scheme was chosen, which consisted of a sequence of charge transfer, proton transfer, and isotopic exchange reactions. Exact solutions to two groups of simultaneous differential equations were determined; one group started with the reaction of ionized water, and the other group started with the reactions of protonated water. A nonlinear least-squares regression technique was used to determine the rate coefficients of the individual reactions in the schemes from the ion abundance data. Branching ratios and relative rate coefficients were also determined in this manner.A delta chi-squared analysis of the results of the model fitted to the experimental data indicated that the kinetic information about the primary isotopic exchange processes is statistically the most significant. The errors in the derived values of the kinetic information of subsequent channels increased rapidly. Data from previously published selected ion flow tube (SIFT) study were analyzed in the same manner. Rigorous statistical analysis showed that the statistical isotope scrambling model was unable to explain either the SIFT or the tandem mass spectrometry data. This study shows that statistical analysis can be utilized to assess the validity of possible models in explaining experimentally observed kinetic behaviors.     

Humidity Effect on Toluene Decomposition in a Wire-plate Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor

Laboratory-scale experiments were performed to evaluate the humidity effect on toluene decomposition by using a wire-plate dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The toluene decomposition efficiency as well as the carbon dioxide selectivity with/without water in a gas stream of N₂ with 5% O₂ was investigated. Under the optimal humidity of 0.2% the characteristics of toluene decomposition in various background gas, including air, N₂ with 500 ppm O₂, and N₂ with 5% O₂ were observed. In addition, the influence of a catalyst on the decomposition was studied at selected humidities. It was found that the optimum toluene removal efficiency was achieved by the gas stream containing 0.2% H₂O, since the presence of water enhanced the CO₂ selectivity. In addition, the toluene removal efficiency increased significantly in a dry gas stream but decreased with an increase in the humidity when the Co₃O₄/Al₂O₃/nickel foam catalyst was introduced into the discharge area.     

Formation of Negative Hydrogen Ions in a Ne–H2 Hollow Cathode Discharge

The formation of negative hydrogen ions in a conventional hollow cathode discharge has been investigated. A mixture of Ne and H₂ proved to be more advantageous compared to pure hydrogen. The study has been performed by solving the electron Boltzmann equation, coupled with a system of balance equations for neon and hydrogen neutral and charged particles. The vibrational distribution function of hydrogen has been calculated. Our calculations show unusually high population of vibrationally excited hydrogen molecules in a Ne–H₂ mixture, which explains the high density of negative hydrogen ions under optimal conditions (total gas pressure of few Torr, hydrogen number mole fraction of 1–10% and discharge current of 10–100 mA). Line intensities originating from highly excited neon states vs. hydrogen pressure have been calculated and a comparison with existing experimental results has been made.     

Formation of formic and acetic acids by low-temperature condensation of a mixture of methane and water vapor dissociated in MW discharge

Formic and acetic acids are formed by the low-temperature (77 K) condensation of a mixture of methane and water vapor dissociated by MW discharge at a low pressure. The effect of experimental conditions on the yield of HCOOH and AcOH was studied under different experimental conditions. The yields of H, OH, and O₂ from MW discharge in the CH₄+H₂O mixture were determined by ESR in the gas phase under the experimental conditions used to synthesize HCOOH and AcOH. The kinetics of the gas phase reactions in the connecting channel was simulated. The mechanism of formation of HCOOH and AcOH through the interaction of active species from the gas phase on the condensate surface was suggested. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 379–382, February, 2000.     

Reaction of hydrogen with aromatic compounds in a 13.6-MHz discharge

A series of aromatic compounds C₆H₅X (X=CH₃, Cl, NO₂, NH₂, OCH₃, CO₂CH₂CH₃, COCH₃, CN) were reacted with hydrogen in a 13.6-MHz inductively coupled glow discharge. The flow rates of aromatic and hydrogen were typically 0.5 mmol/min and 18 mmol/min, respectively. The applied power was varied from 50–200 W and the total pressure was varied from 2–14 torr. The products were collected and analyzed by gas chromatography. Three types of reactions were observed: (1) addition of hydrogen to the aromatic, (2) replacement of the group X by hydrogen, and (3) reactions characteristic of aromatic in the absence of hydrogen. The toluene reaction was studied most carefully. Methylcyclohexenes and benzene were the major products identified. The benzene was optimized by increasing the power and decreasing the pressure of either hydrogen or toluene. Reaction of toluene-d₈ with hydrogen revealed that hydrogens were sequentially exchanged for deuteria on toluene and each of the products. A new apparatus is described which allows flow rates and pressure to be preselected and controlled and which allows a series of product samples to be collected without quenching the plasma.     

Solvent isotope effects upon the kinetics of some simple electrode reactions

The effects of replacing H₂O with D₂O solvent upon the electrochemical kinetics of simple transition-metal redox couples containing aquo, ammine or ethylenediamine ligands have been investigated at mercury electrodes as a means of exploring the possible contribution of ligand-aqueous solvent interactions to the activation barrier to outer-sphere electron transfer. The general interpretation of solvent isotope effects upon electrode kinetics is discussed; it is concluded that double-layer corrected isotopic rate ratios (k^H/k^D)^E determined at a constant electrode potential vs. an aqueous reference electrode, as well as those determined at the respective standard potentials in H₂O and D₂O (k_S^H/k_S^D), have particular significance since the solvent liquid-junction potential can be arranged to be essentially zero. For aquo redox couples, values of (k_S^H/k_S^D) were observed that are substantially greater than unity and appear to be at least partly due to a greater solvent-reorganization barrier in D₂O arising from ligand-solvent hydrogen bonding. For ammine and ethylenediamine complexes values of (k^H/k^D)^E substantially greater than, and smaller than, unity were observed upon the separate deuteration of the ligands and the surrounding solvent respectively. Comparison of isotope rate ratios for corresponding electrochemical and homogeneous outer-sphere reactions involving cationic ammine and aquo complexes yields values of (k^H/k^D) for the former processes that are typically markedly larger than those predicted by the Marcus model from the homogeneous rate ratios. These discrepancies appear to arise from differences in the solvent environments in the transition states for electrochemical and homogeneous reactions.     

The formation of formic acid upon low-temperature condensation of a methane-carbon dioxide mixture dissociated in a microwave discharge

Formic acid was found as the main product upon low-temperature (77 K) condensation of the CH₄+CO₂ mixture dissociated in the microwave discharge at a low pressure. The yield of HCOOH was studied as a function of the experimental conditions: flow rate of the initial gas mixture. CH₄ content in the initial mixture, pressure in the reactor, and output power of the microwave generator. The concentrations of H, O, OH, and O₂ in the gas phase were measured by ESR spectroscopy. Mathematical modeling of the kinetics of the gas phase chemical reactions in the connecting channel was performed. The mechanism of formic acid formation by the interaction of active species of the gas phase on the condensate surface was proposed. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 826–831, May, 2000.     

Application of non-thermal atmospheric pressure ac plasmas to the carbon dioxide reforming of methane

Methane conversions of 11.9%, yields of hydrogen as high as 23.3% and energy yields of 1.0 mol H₂/kWh have been achieved from CO₂ reforming of CH₄ in non-thermal, atmospheric pressure plasma reactors with Pt coated electrodes. Two reactors have been studied. A novel fan type reactor consisting of a movable rotor and immobile stator produced the highest yields in contrast to a tube type (silent discharge) reactor with a glass dielectric barrier. Conversions, yields of hydrogen and energy yields (expressed as mol H₂/kWh) were studied for CO₂/CH₄ concentrations of 1.1% and 5.0% in He as a function of flow rate and input voltage. Hydrogen yields are observed to increase as the input voltage is increased from 411 V to 911 V and the flow rate is decreased from 100 cc/min to 30 cc/min. Energy yields vary only slightly with input voltage and flow rate. Hydrogen yields show little dependence on CO₂/CH₄ concentrations, but energy yields are approximately five times greater for the 5.0% mixture than the 1.1% mixture. Selectivities to H₂, CO, coke, and low molecular weight hydrocarbons were also evaluated and compared to data obtained without CO₂ in the feed. Hydrogen selectivities of nearly 100% were obtained, with small amounts of ethane and propane as the only observed side products and the selectivites were approximately the same whether CO₂ was present or absent in the mixture. However, the reaction proceeds much more cleanly when CO₂ is present, producing CO. The syngas product has an H₂ : CO ratio of 1.5 with the fan type reactor and 0.67 with the tubular reactor. In the absence of CO₂, coke is the main carbonaceous product. Under all conditions studied the fan type reactor demonstrated higher methane conversions (up to 11.9%) and selectivities to hydrogen.     

Effect of Au loading, H2O and CO concentration on the stability of Au/ZnO catalysts for room-temperature CO oxidation

Catalytic decomposition of ethanol in the presence of steam over Pd supported on a porous carbonaceous material was studied. XPS and TEM were used for the catalyst characterization. Experiments were performed under atmospheric pressure, temperature of 320-360°C and H₂O/C₂H₅OH molar ratio 8.1. It was found that the catalyst exhibited a high activity and long-term stability for the ethanol decomposition into a gas mixture containing carbon oxides, methane and hydrogen.     

Simultaneous Sensing of H2O,D2O and HOD through Peroxo Vibrations

Detection of HOD simultaneously in the presence of a mixture of H₂O and D₂O is still an experimental challenge. Till date, there is no literature report of simultaneous detection of H₂O, D₂O and HOD based on vibrational spectra. Herein we report simultaneous quantitative detection of H₂O, D₂O and HOD in the same reaction mixture with the help of bridged polynuclear peroxo complex in absence and presence of Au nanoparticles on the basis of a peroxide vibrational mode in resonance Raman and surface enhanced resonance Raman spectrum. We synthesize bridged polynuclear peroxo complex in different solvent mixture of H₂O and D₂O. Due to the formation of different nature of hydrogen bonding between peroxide and solvent molecules (H₂O, D₂O and HOD), vibrational frequency of peroxo bond is significantly affected. Mixtures of different H₂O and D₂O concentrations produce different HOD concentrations and that lead to different intensities of peaks positioned at 897, 823 and 867 cm⁻¹ indicating H₂O, D₂O and HOD, respectively. The lowest detection limits (LODs) were 0.028 mole fraction of D₂O in H₂O and 0.046 mole faction of H₂O in D₂O. In addition, for the first time the results revealed that the cis-peroxide forms two hydrogen bonds with solvent molecules.     

Electrochemical behavior of PbO2/PbSO4 electrode in the presence of surfactants in electrolyte

The electrochemical behavior of PbO₂/PbSO₄ electrode is investigated in 4.5 M H₂SO₄ in presence of three surfactants, Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS), Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), using cyclic voltametry, electrochemical spectroscopy impedance and galvanostatic discharge as techniques. The micro morphology of the surface of the modified PbO₂ electrodes is examined by scanning electron microscopy. The results show that SDS and CTAB when added in the electrolyte could refine the coating particles and change the roughness of the surface of the electrode leading to a thin film of PbO₂ with amorphous character. In addition, SDS and CTAB shift the hydrogen evolution potential towards more negative values, improve the discharge capacity of the anodic layer and accelerate the charge transfer. Under cathodic polarization, CTAB presents the lowest value of the charge transfer resistance R_ct. In the contrary, STPP shifts the oxygen evolution potential towards more positive values, passivates the surface of the electrode and inhibits completely the reaction of PbO₂ formation.     

H2S and NH3 Removal by Silent Discharge Plasma and Ozone Combo-System

Treatment of H₂S and NH₃ using the non-thermal plasma (NTP) methods was investigated. Two NTP systems were used in this study, one consisting of a multi-cell plate-to-wire reactor (PTW), and the other consisting of an ozonization chamber and the multi-cell PTW reactor. Each cell of the PTW reactor had a sheet of copper foil embedded in dielectric layers as its high voltage electrode and a wired rack as its gounded electrode. Use of the wired rack type electrode allowed large flow throughput, and promoted intense local electric fields. The experiments showed that under constant energy input, the decomposition efficiency of H₂S or NH₃ decreased with increasing initial concentration of the gas, and increased with increasing injected ozone and relative humidity. Injection of NH₃ into H₂S stream did not improve the H2S decomposition efficiency but was necessary for removal of sulfite-containing compounds in the discharge air.     

Experimental studies on the hydrogen isotope recovery using low-pressure palladium membrane diffuser

In this paper, we introduce a set of low-pressure palladium membrane diffuser designed to recover hydrogen isotopes from inert mixture gases. Several gaseous mixtures (D₂/Ar and D₂/He) with different deuterium concentration have been used for cleanup test of the low-pressure palladium membrane diffuser at 723 K. Effect of the composition of feed gas on the pressure of permeate side has been observed by gas chromatography (GC) and pressure sensor. With the feed flow rate of the mixture gases increasing, the D₂ permeate pressure is increasing as well. Decontamination factor (DF) of more than 1000 and recovery efficiency greater than 99.9% have been obtained by controlling the feed gas flow rate. The same palladium membrane diffuser was used to process helium-3 gas with more than 10% hydrogen isotope and about 0.3% tritium gas. The pure helium-3 (above 99.4%) with low content of hydrogen isotopes (about 0.084%) has been obtained. Recovery efficiency of all hydrogen isotopes is 99.5% above.     

Dry Reforming of Methane by DC Spark Discharge with a Rotating Electrode

A novel type of plasma reactor having a rotating electrode is proposed for CO₂ reforming of methane without catalyst at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Results indicated that employing rotating ground electrode leads to a stable discharge for any period of time. Effects of feed composition, feed flow rate, applied power and electrodes separation on the carbon dioxide and methane conversions as well as the products selectivity were investigated. Increasing CO₂/CH₄ molar ratio in the feed favors the reagents conversion and consequently promotes the formation of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. If the target product is hydrogen, it is proposed to operate the reactor at CO₂/CH₄ = 1 molar ratio and if the target product is carbon monoxide then CO₂/CH₄ = 3 molar ratio is the preferred option for feed composition. This reactor system has advantages of stable operation and high conversion ability. Also, the obtained syngas with flexible molar ratio of H₂ to CO is suitable for vast industrial applications.