Microwave induced electrical discharges triggered when microwave radiates on certain conductors (such as metals, graphite) and semi-conductors (SiC particles), especially those with sub-irregularities are important phenomena in microwave heating processes, leading to oriented energy convergence from the relatively dispersed energy in microwave field to those sub- or micro-regions, and then release the energy through multi-effects, including heat, light and plasma. This distinguished mode of energy accumulation and conversion can be well-designed as “smart catalysis”, opening up new pathway for enhancing energy utilization efficiencies and orientations. In this paper, the microwave-metal (MW-m) discharge process and its associated effect were well investigated and optimized first, and then the applications of MW-m discharges on the tar destruction, degradation of volatile organic compounds(vocs) and fabrication of carbon-encapsulated Fe nanoparticles were discussed fully. This featured discharge process was found to be pulsed in nature. The hot-spot at the instant of discharge was unveiled to reach the magnitude of thousands degree celsius, followed by a cooling process. Meanwhile, the discharge process produces plasma and UV-visible light to induce photo-catalytic reactions. By design, this featured discharge process was validated to have distinguished advantages in degradation of organic compounds, new material synthesis, etc.

Featured microwave induced discharges for enhancing energy efficiency and promoting chemical reactions in a variety of fields

255th National Meeting (2018)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.