Decomposition of Benzene by Barrier Discharge in N2 at Low Concentrations of O2

The decomposition rate of benzene and its by-products are estimated a barrier discharge with 0% to 4% oxygen in nitrogen. The decomposition rate of benzene decreases with increasing amount of oxygen. By the checking of mass balances of carbon and hydrogen atoms, it is found that benzene is converted into carbon oxide, carbon dioxide and water in the presence of a sufficient amount of oxygen for reaction. As a result of the estimation of the amounts of ozone and oxides, the nitrogen atom is found to be the main reactor in the decomposition of benzene, after which, oxygen atoms react with the decomposed benzene.