Catalysis assisted plasma decomposition of benzene using dielectric barrier discharge

Atmospheric non-thermal plasma generated by dielectric barrier discharge was applied to decompose benzene with a sheet type catalyst of platinum supported by alumina. The experimental results indicated that an enhancement of the decomposition by the catalyst was achieved at low concentration of benzene. Ozone produced in the plasma seemed not to contribute to the decomposition. The deactivation of the catalyst was also observed due to decomposition products such as CO and a solid deposit. However a heating treatment could regenerate the catalyst. The results suggested the plasma-catalyst hybrid reactor was the effective method to solve volatile organic compound (VOCs) problem.