Spectroscopic Characterization of CH4 + CO2 Plasmas Excited by a Dielectric Barrier Discharge at Atmospheric Pressure

Plasma processing of a (CH₄+CO₂) mixture can lead to the formation of synthesis gas (CO+H₂). The use of a nonthermal plasma for this type of process seems very promising. We report here an electric and spectroscopic characteristic of plasma created in a (CH₄+CO₂) mixture by a high-voltage, steep front-voltage (>10¹²V/s), very-short-pulse triggered dielectric barrier discharge in a tubular cell. Particular attention was payed to the determination of the rotational temperature for C₂. Time resolved investigation of the Swan band leads to an estimated value around 3000 K.