Catalyst-free single-step plasma reforming of CH4 and CO2 to higher value oxygenates under ambient conditions

Direct conversion of CH4 and CO2 to liquid fuels chemicals under mild conditions is appealing for biogas utilization but challenging due the inert nature both gases. Herein, we report a promising plasma process catalyst-free single-step into higher value oxygenates (i.e., methanol, acetic acid, ethanol, acetone) at ambient pressure room temperature using water-cooled dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor, with methanol being main product. The distribution products could be tailored by tuning power, reaction residence time. Lower powers (10–15 W) temperatures (5–20 °C) were favourable production products, achieving highest selectivity 43% 5 °C 15 W. A power temperature, on other hand, produced more gaseous particularly H2 (up 26% selectivity) CO 33% selectivity). In addition, varying these parameters (discharge time) resulted in simultaneous change key properties, such as mean electron energy (Ee), density (ne) specific input (SEI), all which are essential determiners chemical reactions. According results artificial neural network (ANN) models, relative importance indicators performance follows order: > time, SEI ne Ee, respectively. This work provides new insights contributions mechanism multiple optimizing (e.g., production) gas process.