Decomposition process of benzene in a low pressure DC glow discharge

The variations in the partial pressures of gaseous molecules produced by the decomposition of C6H6 in a low pressure DC glow discharge in N2/C6H6 and Ar/C6H 6 mixtures are measured by the mass spectrometry. Also, rate equations for the partial pressure variations, which consider possible reaction among the gaseous molecules in the low pressure DC glow discharge, with the electrical energy-input, are proposed, and rate constants are determined by fitting the calculated partial pressure variations to the measured partial pressure variations. The rate constants deduced here indicate that C 6H6 is mainly decomposed into an intermediate, which is regarded as a fragment of C6H6, the intermediate is decomposed into mainly C2H2, and then C2H 2 is converted into H2 and HCN (only in N 2/C6H6). © 2010 The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan.