Plasma-Induced Desorption of Methane and Carbon Dioxide over Silico Alumino Phosphate Zeolites

The release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) has resulted in severe consequences to the environment that are accelerating with time and every day are more evident. Herein, we present the use of nonthermal plasma (NTP) to promote the desorption of GHSs such as methane and carbon dioxide over four silico alumino phosphate (SAPOs) zeolites having limiting pore sizes of 2.9 Å (SAPO-43), 3.4 Å (SAPO-56), 3.8 Å (SAPO-34), and 3.9 Å (SAPO-11). The desorption rates of the studied gases strongly depended on the acidity and limiting pore size of these zeolites. In general, the higher the acidity of the SAPO, the lowest the gas desorption rate. We postulated the possible diffusion regimes that influenced the carbon dioxide and methane desorption rates. Furthermore, we demonstrate the feasibility of desorbing these gases under Krypton plasma pulses. The low-temperature plasma activation of CH4 and CO2 presented here could lead potentially to the capture and controlled release of these GHGs.