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 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 445072286

• Final Report Year: 2024

Final Report Abstract

The project’s exploration into CO2 conversion using plasma technology, noted for its efficient gas activation and scalability, has highlighted promising avenues for energy-efficient transformation of CO2 . Focusing on radio-frequency-driven atmospheric pressure microplasma jets, specifically the COST-jet, the study aimed to unlock their potential in CO2 conversion. The ultimate goal of the project is to manipulate the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) in such a way that directing energy into CO2 dissociation, particularly through vibrational excitation of CO2 molecules, is feasible and efficient. A global chemistry model for a He/CO2 gas mixture was established, leading to the development of a comprehensive two-dimensional simulation model that integrates plasma and neutral gas transport mechanisms. To complement theoretical findings, an experimental setup featuring the COST-jet and a self-made mass spectrometry setup was deployed, allowing for a direct comparison of conversion rates between simulations and real-world experiments. This project has provided significant insights into the potential of plasma jets for the efficient conversion of CO2 , showcasing the viability of this approach through both theoretical modeling and experimental validation.

Publications

• CO2 dissociation in a microwave plasma torch: efficiency evaluation and comparison with other plasma sources, APS Gaseous Electronics Conference 2021, abstract id.DT24.005
  N. Babaeva, G. Naidis, D. Tereshonok, T. Chernishev, L. Volkov, S. Wilczek, Y. Liu & T. Mussenbrock
  
• Electron dynamics in radiofrequency driven micro atmospheric plasma jets for CO2 conversion, APS Gaseous Electronics Conference 2021, abstract id.SR54.006
  S. Wilczek, Y. Liu, N. Babaeva, G. Naidis & T. Mussenbrock
  
• Electron heating mode transitions in radio-frequency driven micro atmospheric pressure plasma jets in He/O2: a fluid dynamics approach. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 54(27), 275204.
  Liu, Yue; Korolov, Ihor; Hemke, Torben; Bischoff, Lena; Hübner, Gerrit; Schulze, Julian & Mussenbrock, Thomas
  
• Investigation of CO2 Conversion in a High-Power Inductively Coupled Plasma Source by Global Modeling, APS Gaseous Electronics Conference 2021, abstract id.DT24.004
  H. Burghaus, S. Wilczek, T. Mussenbrock, S. Fasoulas & G. Herdrich
  
• The Conversion of Carbon Dioxide in Radio-Frequency Driven Micro Atmospheric Plasma Jets. 2022 IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science (ICOPS), 1-1. IEEE.
  Wilczek, S.; Liu, Y.; Babaeva, N. Y.; Naidis, G.; Wirth, P.; Korolov, I. & Mussenbrock, T.
  
• Validation of the smooth step model by particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collisions simulations. Plasma Sources Science and Technology, 31(4), 045014.
  Klich, Maximilian; Löwer, Jan; Wilczek, Sebastian; Mussenbrock, Thomas & Brinkmann, Ralf Peter
  
• Local enhancement of electron heating and neutral species generation in radio-frequency micro-atmospheric pressure plasma jets: the effects of structured electrode topologies. Plasma Sources Science and Technology, 32(2), 025012.
  Liu, Yue; Vass, Máté; Hübner, Gerrit; Schulenberg, David; Hemke, Torben; Bischoff, Lena; Chur, Sascha; Steuer, David; Golda, Judith; Böke, Marc; Schulze, Julian; Korolov, Ihor & Mussenbrock, Thomas
  
• Modeling of CO2 Conversion to Carbon and Oxygen in a High-Power ICP, APS Gaseous Electronics Conference 2023, abstract id.EF2.00002
  H. Burghaus, P.E. Hofmeyer, S. Wilczek, T. Mussenbrock, S. Fasoulas & G. Herdrich
  
• Nonlocal dynamics of secondary electrons in capacitively coupled radio frequency discharges. Plasma Sources Science and Technology, 32(8), 085008.
  Noesges, K.; Klich, M.; Derzsi, A.; Horváth, B.; Schulze, J.; Brinkmann, R. P.; Mussenbrock, T. & Wilczek, S.
  
• Population of Electronically Excited Atoms in an ICP CO2 Plasma: Experiment vs. Modeling, APS Gaseous Electronics Conference 2023, abstract id.IT4.00026
  H. Burghaus, P.E. Hofmeyer, S. Wilczek, T. Mussenbrock, S. Fasoulas & G. Herdrich
  
• A new 2D fluid-MC hybrid approach for simulating nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasmas: density distribution of atomic oxygen in radio-frequency plasma jets in He/O2 mixtures. Plasma Sources Science and Technology, 33(1), 015012.
  Vass, Máté; Schulenberg, David; Donkó, Zoltán; Korolov, Ihor; Hartmann, Peter; Schulze, Julian & Mussenbrock, Thomas
  
• Mode Transition Induced by Gas Heating Along the Discharge Channel in Capacitively Coupled Atmospheric Pressure Micro Plasma Jets. Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing, 44(3), 1217-1235.
  Schulenberg, David A.; Vass, Máté; Klich, Maximilian; Donkó, Zoltán; Klotz, Jeldrik; Bibinov, Nikita; Mussenbrock, Thomas & Schulze, Julian