Plasma catalysis: a brief tutorial

Abstract

Abstract This tutorial is intended to provide a basic overview of plasma catalysis, which is considered an emerging branch of plasma processing. This highly versatile technique can provide not only a route to produce highly specialized materials such as semiconductors and nanostructures at mild conditions, but it can open new pathways towards the decentralized production of several specialty chemicals such as ammonia, by pairing this technology with renewable electricity sources. Moreover, plasma catalysis offers the advantages of one pot ultra-fast reactions with minimal waste production as compared to traditional wet chemistry synthesis techniques. However, in order to completely exploit the full potential of plasma catalysis, a strong fundamental understanding of the effects of plasma on catalyst, catalyst on plasma and its synergism should be gained. This is a prospect that can be achieved by a multidisciplinary knowledge of the phenomena occurring at the plasma gas phase and at the interphase plasma-catalyst. Here in, first principles of plasma catalysis are presented. The main goal of this brief tutorial is to transmit to the scientists willing to explore this research area, the main characteristics that make this plasma research field so promising as a sustainable route to solve current energy and environmental challenges.