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Tailoring Catalyst Structure and Function via Nonthermal Plasma for Greenhouse Gas Valorization.
Junliang Mou1, Junyi Xu1, Jiaqi Sun1
1Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Quantum State Control and Optical Field Manipulation, Department of Physics, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China.
Chemsuschem
|November 17, 2025
Summary
Nonthermal plasma (NTP) technology offers a novel approach to designing advanced catalysts under mild conditions. This method precisely controls catalyst properties, enhancing performance in greenhouse gas valorization.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Catalysis
Background:
- Conventional high-temperature catalyst preparation methods have critical limitations.
- Nonthermal plasma (NTP) offers a unique nonequilibrium environment with energetic species.
- NTP enables precise control over catalyst properties at multiple scales.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of NTP application in catalyst synthesis and modification.
- To focus on engineering high-performance catalysts for greenhouse gas valorization (CO2 and CH4).
- To highlight structure-performance relationships in NTP-engineered catalysts.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing NTP's unique environment (energetic electrons, ions, radicals) for catalyst synthesis.
- Engineering catalyst properties such as nanoparticle dispersion, defect structures, and metal-support interactions.
- Reviewing applications in CO2 hydrogenation, electrocatalytic/photocatalytic CO2 reduction, and methane reforming.
Main Results:
- NTP enables the creation of highly dispersed nanoparticles and tailored defect structures.
- NTP enhances metal-support interactions, often inaccessible via thermal routes.
- NTP-engineered catalysts demonstrate superior activity, selectivity, and stability in target reactions.
Conclusions:
- NTP is a transformative tool for rational catalyst design and synthesis.
- Plasma-based engineering offers unique advantages for developing next-generation catalysts.
- This approach is crucial for advancing sustainable chemical production through greenhouse gas valorization.
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