Electron-Impact Dissociation of CO2 (a Review)

Rate constant of electron-impact dissociation of CO2 in a direct-current atmospheric-pressure gas discharge is found based on detailed analysis and generalization of the results of calculations of the energy spectrum of electrons in gas discharges in pure carbon dioxide CO2 and CO2-containing mixtures by using various models. It is demonstrated that collisions of CO2 molecules with electrons represent the dominant mechanism of decomposition of CO2 molecule at values of reduced electric field in the range from 55 to 100 Td. An expression governing the rate constant of the electron-impact dissociation of CO2 molecules as a function of reduced electric field is obtained.