Editorial Catalysts: Special Issue on Plasma Catalysis

In-depth analysis of the effect of catalysts on plasma technologies for treatment of various wastes

Energy security and waste management are gaining global attention. The modern world is producing a large amount of liquid and solid waste as a result of the increasing population and industrialization. A circular economy encourages the conversion of waste to energy and other value-added products. Waste processing requires a sustainable route for a healthy society and clean environment. One of the emerging solutions for waste treatment is plasma technology. It converts waste into syngas, oil, and char/slag depending on the thermal/non-thermal processes. Most of all the types of carbonaceous wastes can be treated by plasma processes. The addition of a catalyst to the plasma process is a developing field as plasma processes are energy intensive. This paper covers the detailed concept of plasma and catalysis. It comprises various types of plasma (non-thermal and thermal) and catalysts (zeolites, oxides, and salts) which have been used for waste treatment. Catalyst addition improves gas yield and hydrogen selectivity at moderate temperatures. Depending on the properties of the catalyst and type of plasma, comprehensive points are listed for the selection of the right catalyst for a plasma process. This review offers an in-depth analysis of the research in the field of waste-to-energy using plasma-catalytic processes.

Towards Catalysts Prepared by Cold Plasma

Cold (non-equilibrium) plasma techniques have long been used as plasma deposition methods to create new materials, often with unique properties, which cannot be produced any other way, as well as plasma treatment methods for the sophisticated modification of conventional materials [...]