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Exploring the Balance between Faradaic and Non-Faradaic Processes in Organic Chemical Reactions at Plasma-Liquid
Casey K Bloomquist1, Daniel Naumov1, Ahrin Yang1
1New York University, Tandon School of Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 6 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11201, United States.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|April 12, 2025
Summary
Plasma electrochemistry uses plasma instead of solid electrodes, enabling new chemical synthesis routes. This study shows non-Faradaic processes dominate acrylonitrile reactions, yielding unexpected products like polyacrylonitrile.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Engineering
- Plasma Science
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Conventional electrochemistry is limited by electrode materials for sustainable chemical manufacturing.
- Plasma electrochemistry offers novel synthesis pathways by integrating plasma-liquid interfaces.
- Acrylonitrile electrosynthesis to adiponitrile is a well-established industrial process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reaction mechanisms of acrylonitrile in plasma electrochemistry.
- To compare plasma electrochemistry with conventional electrochemical methods.
- To understand the role of Faradaic and non-Faradaic processes at the plasma-liquid interface.
Main Methods:
- Systematic variation of plasma polarity, current, and reactant concentration.
- Comprehensive quantitative analysis of solid, liquid, and gas products.
- Electron scavenger experiments to differentiate reaction pathways.
Main Results:
- Non-Faradaic processes were found to dominate acrylonitrile transformations.
- No adiponitrile was formed; instead, polyacrylonitrile was a major product.
- Product yields significantly exceeded theoretical charge-transfer limits, with specific products like hydrogen and propionitrile showing high overpotentials.
Conclusions:
- Plasma electrochemistry with acrylonitrile is primarily driven by non-Faradaic processes.
- This differs significantly from conventional electrosynthesis pathways.
- Fundamental insights were gained for utilizing plasma-electrolyte interactions in chemical synthesis.
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