Simultaneous laser induced breakdown spectroscopy and Pd-assisted methane decomposition at different pressures

Methane decomposition is investigated during Pd-assisted laser induced plasma in the controlled chamber at various pressures using Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Real time LIBS monitoring is applied to reveal the involved mechanisms during methane decomposition by inspecting the plasma parameters at mano-metric pressures of 1 to 10 mbar. The dependence of electron density and plasma temperature with pressure is also studied. It is shown that the plasma recreates higher hydrocarbons during the decomposition of methane. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy are applied to support the findings.

► Simultaneous laser induced breakdown spectroscopy ► Pd-assisted methane decomposition ► Nanosecond pulsed laser decomposition of methane ► Generation of higher hydrocarbon ► Dependence of electron density and temperature of induced plasma with pressure