Degradation of organic pollutants combining plasma discharges generated within soil with TiO2 and ZnO catalysts: Comparative analysis, optimization and mechanisms

An advantageous plasma-catalytic setup was developed and applied towards the degradation of trifluralin in soil. For first time, TiO2 ZnO catalysts were compared when employed conjunction with micro-discharges generated directly into interconnected soil channels. In presence catalysts, a significant increase efficiency observed; after 5 min, increased from 66.5% (plasma alone) to 94.2% 93% addition ZnO, respectively. terms kinetics, slightly superior catalyst whereas both performed better under oxygen than air atmosphere. Compared plasma alone, treatment considerably (∼3fold) process energy efficiency. Moreover, inhibitory effect moisture less pronounced during plasma-catalysis where reduction ∼19% pollutant observed at wt% ∼54% alone. The resulted NO2 concentration noticeable O3 generation associated an certain species additional more active ROS, Liquid chromatography (UPLC/MS) data early stages revealed similar intermediates processes between plasma-alone plasma-catalysis. present effort supports potential future implementation remediation method being rapid, highly efficient, low demanding green method.