Organic reactions in plasma-liquid systems for environmental applications

Plasma-liquid systems are best recognised in biomedicine, where the generation of plasma-treated water and complex organic-containing solutions affords biological effects. However, plasma interactions with liquids are more diverse. In this review, we look from the chemical point of view at the three fields of plasma-liquid interaction in which plasma is used to convert organic substrates. In wastewater treatment, plasma decomposes organic substances: the selectivity towards specific products is less crucial than process energy costs. In the conversion of organic liquids for sustainable energy purposes, the carbon and hydrogen selectivity to syngas are important, but these are still destructive reactions yielding small molecules. Finally, we provide a comprehensive plasma application list for synthetic organic chemistry and discuss their mechanisms and limitations. The unique processes at the plasma-liquid interface Yury GorbanevYury GorbanevYury Gorbanevgenerate much interest for environmental applications involving the conversion of organic substrates: degradation of organic contaminants in wastewater, H2/syngas production from organic substrates, and synthetic organic chemistry. In this review article, these applications are discussed through the lens of nonselective or selective plasma conversion of organics. Special attention is paid to mechanisms and limitations of plasma applications for synthetic organic chemistry as they open new, more environmentally friendly pathways for organic reactions. image