Synthesis of Micro- and Nanomaterials in CO sub(2) and CO Dielectric Barrier Discharges

Dielectric Barrier Discharges operating in CO and CO sub(2) form solid products at atmospheric pressure. The main differences between both plasmas and their deposits were analyzed, at similar energy input. GC measurements revealed a mixture of CO sub(2), CO, and O sub(2) in the CO sub(2) DBD exhaust, while no O sub(2) was found in the CO plasma. A coating of nanoparticles composed of Fe, O, and C was produced by the CO sub(2) discharge, whereas, a microscopic dendrite-like carbon structure was formed in the CO plasma. Fe sub(3)O sub(4) and Fe crystalline phases were found in the CO sub(2) sample. The CO deposition was characterized as an amorphous structure, close to polymeric CO (p-CO). Interestingly, p-CO is not formed in the CO sub(2) plasma, in spite of the significant amounts of CO produced (up to 30% in the reactor exhaust). Dielectric Barrier Discharges operating in CO and CO sub(2) form solid products at atmospheric pressure. The main differences between both plasmas and their deposits are analyzed keeping similar energy input.