Parametric investigations on plasma-activated conversion of CH4-CH3OH to C2-C4 alcohols by nanosecond pulsed discharge

The single-step conversion of CH4 to higher alcohols without catalyst or complex processing is the dream solution both in C1 chemistry and the chemical industry. Here, an innovative synthesis of higher alcohols from CH4-CH3OH was driven by a highly flexible nanosecond pulsed plasma. Experimental results showed that the products distribution was strongly correlated with the electric field variation and reactants composition, and the maximum conversion of CH4 (35.9%) and CH3OH (77.4%) were obtained at the CH4/Ar ratio of 1:2. Interestingly, the addition of H2O and H2O2 effectively promoted the C2-C4 alcohols selectivity up to 19.4%. In addition, optical diagnostics were used to obtain active species distribution and integrated insights into the C-C coupling of higher alcohols generation. A possible reaction mechanism of CH4-CH3OH plasma was also discussed.