Catalyst‐enhanced plasma oxidation of n‐butane over α‐MnO2 in a temperature‐controlled twin surface dielectric barrier discharge reactor.

A twin surface dielectric barrier discharge is used for the catalyst‐enhanced plasma oxidation of 300 ppm n‐butane in synthetic air. Plasma‐only operation results in the conversion of n‐butane into CO and CO2. Conversion is improved by increasing the temperature of the feed gas, but selectivity shifts to undesired CO. α‐MnO2 is used as a catalyst deposited on the electrodes by spray coating with a distance of 1.5 mm between the uncoated grid lines and the square catalyst patches to prevent the inhibition of plasma ignition. The catalyst strongly influences selectivity, reaching 40% conversion and 73% selectivity to CO2 at a specific energy density of 390 J·L−1 and 140°C, which is far below the onset temperature of thermocatalytic n‐butane conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]