Carbon dioxide dissociation to carbon monoxide by non-thermal plasma

•The CO2 conversion was maximum with a sinusoidal excitation.•The best energy efficiency is obtained using undiluted CO2.•Carbon was incorporated into the silica network under non-thermal plasma conditions.•CO selectivity higher at low temperature of reactor wall.

The decomposition of carbon dioxide was investigated in a non-thermal plasma dielectric barrier discharge reactor filled with glass balls. The CO2 conversion was maximum by using a sinusoidal excitation compared to pulsed excitation. The CO2 conversion and the CO selectivity are increased in the presence of helium, particularly with the AC power supply, but with a decrease in energy efficiency. The formation of solid materials composed of carbon but also of silica was highlighted for the first time, proving that carbon was incorporated into the silica network along with CO2 dissociation under non-thermal plasma conditions. The temperature control of the reactor wall has shown that the CO selectivity is favored by a low temperature wall, whereas the CO2 conversion remained constant, suggesting that the carbon balance default is due to the CO decomposition on the reactor wall.

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