Sustainable Plasma-Catalytic Nitrogen Fixation with Pyramid Shaped μ-Electrode DBD and Titanium Dioxide

This research explores the potential of electric field enforcement in dielectric barrier discharge using specially designed pyramid-shaped μ-electrodes for a plasma-assisted nitrogen fixation process. The obtained results are compared under varying conditions, including the presence and absence of titanium dioxide ((Formula presented.)), different oxygen concentrations in the nitrogen-feeding gas, and residence time. The results demonstrate that the μ-electrodes lead to an enhancement of nitrogen oxidation, which is further intensified by (Formula presented.). The introduction of 60–70 % oxygen with nitrogen achieves the highest level of (Formula presented.) production. The synergistic effect of plasma and the catalytic effect of (Formula presented.) increase the rate of (Formula presented.) production by 20 %, resulting in a 23 % increase in energy yield. The introduction of (Formula presented.) leads to a sharp increase in (Formula presented.) production even at lower oxygen concentrations. The crucial role played by ultraviolet light-induced electron-hole pairs in (Formula presented.) is highlighted to promote nitrogen oxidation. Nevertheless, it is crucial to emphasize that prolonged residence times may cause the photocatalytic effect to generate alternative byproducts rather than (Formula presented.), consequence of excessive oxidation that could prove counterproductive. These findings emphasize the potential of plasma-assisted nitrogen fixation technology in reducing energy costs and meeting the growing demand for sustainable nitrogen-based fertilizers.