Two Steps Back, One Leap Forward: Synergistic Energy Conversion in Plasmonic and Plasma Catalysis

Abstract

Hybrid catalytic systems are poised to maximize the efficiency of energy conversion. When coupling heat with visible light or plasma sources, known thermally active catalysts are commonly used. The question becomes whether adapting thermally activated catalysts to hybrid energy systems is the ideal strategy. Differences in reaction pathways, including how the energy is exchanged within hybrid systems, mean new catalyst design approaches are needed. To enable a leap forward in designing hybrid systems and accelerate effective plasma/light catalyst development, there is a need to take two steps back to (i) revise the current strategies used to design appropriate catalysts and (ii) identify the criteria critical to regulating system behavior. Spotlighting carbon dioxide valorization, current routes to catalyst design for hybrid systems are evaluated. As these systems are playing an ever-increasing role in a clean energy future, catalyst design strategies involving ongoing retrospection and realignment toward prevailing energy coupling/conversion mechanisms are discussed to facilitate the leap forward.

Observation of surface species in plasma-catalytic dry reforming of methane in a novel atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier dischargein situIR cell

“…Note that the field of plasma catalysis is greatly hindered by a lack of understanding of the actual role of plasma-induced surface heating in possible synergism, 37 and therefore, these observations provide a valuable contribution towards a better understanding of plasma-catalytic synergism by the decoupling of thermal and plasma effects.…”

Plasma Technology–Preparing for the Electrified Future

“…Combining plasma with a catalyst is another route to affect the process selectivity. This approach creates synergistic effects that increase selectivity and yield and/or decrease the light-off temperature (Neyts et al, 2015;Whitehead, 2016;Bogaerts et al, 2020;Lovell et al, 2022). The mechanism of this synergy highly depends on the chemical process, the plasma properties and the type of catalyst; the catalyst can be activated by a combination of heat and/or the species (charges, photons, radicals, intermediates) generated by the plasma.…”

Broadband Plasmonic Photocatalysis Enhanced by Photothermal Light Absorbers

“…34,52,53 By studying the synergetic effects from photothermal and nonthermal contributions, a better way of light utilization can be achieved. 30,43,44,54 Therefore, it is important to study how we could enhance the photothermal contribution to the reaction and the most effective way of combining them.…”