Microanalysis of Active Nitrogen Oxides (RONS) Generation Characteristics during DC Negative Corona Discharge at a Needle-Plate Electrode

Abstract

The DC negative corona of needle-plate electrodes can generate atmospheric pressure low-temperature plasma active particles, which have important effects on biological mutagenesis. The DC negative corona discharge of an air needle-plate electrode with effective consideration of NOx particles was simulated and the Trichel pulse current was obtained, focusing on the development of particles and the distribution of active nitrogen oxides (RONS) at four moments in the pulse process. The simulation results indicate that the positive ions (N2+ and O2+) and negative ions (O− and O2−) were closely related to the current changes, and the negative ions (O− and O2−) presented a typical stratification phenomenon. RONS (H2O2, O3, and NO) were approximately uniformly distributed above the level of the plate electrode at the same instant, with H2O2 and O3 except for the area below the needle tip. They trended to a cumulative increase in concentration with time. This study provides a theoretical basis for corona discharge plasma seed treatment technology.