On the efficiency of CO2 conversion in corona and dielectric-barrier discharges

The regimes of CO2 discharges are considered in which conversion of CO2 molecules proceeds mainly due to dissociation by electron impact. The efficiency of this process is estimated in the framework of an approximate analytical approach, using various CO2 dissociation cross sections available in the literature. It is shown that the best fit with the set of experimental data of the conversion efficiency in corona and dielectric-barrier discharges, corresponding to the range of reduced electric field values higher than 90 Td, is provided by using, as the dissociation cross section, of the cross section by Phelps, for excitation of electronic states with the energy threshold of 10.5 eV.

Automated summary

The study focuses on CO2 molecule conversion through electron impact dissociation, estimating efficiency using various dissociation cross sections. The best fit with experimental data for corona and dielectric-barrier discharges is found using Phelps' cross section for excitation of electronic states with an energy threshold of 10.5 eV under specific electric field conditions.