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Author Gerrits, N.
Title Accurate simulations of the reaction of H₂ on a curved Pt crystal through machine learning Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Journal Of Physical Chemistry Letters Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem Lett
Volume 12 Issue 51 Pages 12157-12164
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Theoretical studies on molecule-metal surface reactions have so far been limited to small surface unit cells due to computational costs. Here, for the first time molecular dynamics simulations on very large surface unit cells at the level of density functional theory are performed, allowing a direct comparison to experiments performed on a curved crystal. Specifically, the reaction of D-2 on a curved Pt crystal is investigated with a neural network potential (NNP). The developed NNP is also accurate for surface unit cells considerably larger than those that have been included in the training data, allowing dynamical simulations on very large surface unit cells that otherwise would have been intractable. Important and complex aspects of the reaction mechanism are discovered such as diffusion and a shadow effect of the step. Furthermore, conclusions from simulations on smaller surface unit cells cannot always be transfered to larger surface unit cells, limiting the applicability of theoretical studies of smaller surface unit cells to heterogeneous catalysts with small defect densities.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000734045900001 Publication Date 2021-12-17
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1948-7185 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 9.353 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 9.353
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:184717 Serial 7413
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Author Javdani, Z.; Hassani, N.; Faraji, F.; Zhou, R.; Sun, C.; Radha, B.; Neyts, E.; Peeters, F.M.; Neek-Amal, M.
Title Clogging and unclogging of hydrocarbon-contaminated nanochannels Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication The journal of physical chemistry letters Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem Lett
Volume 13 Issue 49 Pages 11454-11463
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract The recent advantages of the fabrication of artificial nanochannels enabled new research on the molecular transport, permeance, and selectivity of various gases and molecules. However, the physisorption/chemisorption of the unwanted molecules (usually hydrocarbons) inside nanochannels results in the alteration of the functionality of the nanochannels. We investigated contamination due to hydrocarbon molecules, nanochannels made of graphene, hexagonal boron nitride, BC2N, and molybdenum disulfide using molecular dynamics simulations. We found that for a certain size of nanochannel (i.e., h = 0.7 nm), as a result of the anomalous hydrophilic nature of nanochannels made of graphene, the hydrocarbons are fully adsorbed in the nanochannel, giving rise to full uptake. An increasing temperature plays an important role in unclogging, while pressure does not have a significant role. The results of our pioneering work contribute to a better understanding and highlight the important factors in alleviating the contamination and unclogging of nanochannels, which are in good agreement with the results of recent experiments.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000893147700001 Publication Date 2022-12-05
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1948-7185 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 5.7 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.7
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:192815 Serial 7263
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Author Gerrits, N.; Jackson, B.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Accurate Reaction Probabilities for Translational Energies on Both Sides of the Barrier of Dissociative Chemisorption on Metal Surfaces Type A1 Journal Article
Year 2024 Publication The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters Abbreviated Journal J. Phys. Chem. Lett.
Volume 15 Issue 9 Pages 2566-2572
Keywords A1 Journal Article; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Abstract Molecular dynamics simulations are essential for a better understanding of dissociative chemisorption on metal surfaces, which is often the rate-controlling step in heterogeneous and plasma catalysis. The workhorse quasi-classical trajectory approach ubiquitous in molecular dynamics is able to accurately predict reactivity only for high translational and low vibrational energies. In contrast, catalytically relevant conditions generally involve low translational and elevated vibrational energies. Existing quantum dynamics approaches are intractable or approximate as a result of the large number of degrees of freedom present in molecule−metal surface reactions. Here, we extend a ring polymer molecular dynamics approach to fully include, for the first time, the degrees of freedom of a moving metal surface. With this approach, experimental sticking probabilities for the dissociative chemisorption of methane on Pt(111) are reproduced for a large range of translational and vibrational energies by including nuclear quantum effects and employing full-dimensional simulations.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001177959900001 Publication Date 2024-03-07
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1948-7185 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 5.7 Times cited Open Access
Notes Nick Gerrits has been financially supported through a Dutch Research Council (NWO) Rubicon grant (019.202EN.012). The computational resources and services used in this work were provided by the high performance computing (HPC) core facility CalcUA of the Universiteit Antwerpen and the Flemish Supercomputer Center (VSC) funded by the Research Foundation−Flanders (FWO) and the Flemish Government. The authors thank Mark Somers for useful discussions. Approved Most recent IF: 5.7; 2024 IF: 9.353
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:204818 Serial 9114
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Author Bal, K.M.; Bogaerts, A.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Ensemble-Based Molecular Simulation of Chemical Reactions under Vibrational Nonequilibrium Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Journal Of Physical Chemistry Letters Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem Lett
Volume 11 Issue 2 Pages 401-406
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We present an approach to incorporate the effect of vibrational nonequilibrium in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A perturbed canonical ensemble, in which selected modes are excited to higher temperature while all others remain equilibrated at low temperature, is simulated by applying a specifically tailored bias potential. Our method can be readily applied to any (classical or quantum mechanical) MD setup at virtually no additional computational cost and allows the study of reactions of vibrationally excited molecules in nonequilibrium environments such as plasmas. In combination with enhanced sampling methods, the vibrational efficacy and mode selectivity of vibrationally stimulated reactions can then be quantified in terms of chemically relevant observables, such as reaction rates and apparent free energy barriers. We first validate our method for the prototypical hydrogen exchange reaction and then show how it can capture the effect of vibrational excitation on a symmetric SN2 reaction and radical addition on CO2.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000508473400008 Publication Date 2020-01-16
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1948-7185 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.7 Times cited Open Access
Notes Universiteit Antwerpen; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 12ZI420N ; Departement Economie, Wetenschap en Innovatie van de Vlaamse Overheid; K.M.B. was funded as a junior postdoctoral fellow of the FWO (Research Foundation − Flanders), Grant 12ZI420N, and through a TOP-BOF research project of the University of Antwerp. The computational resources and services used in this work were provided by the VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center), funded by the FWO and the Flemish Government− department EWI. Approved Most recent IF: 5.7; 2020 IF: 9.353
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:165587 Serial 5442
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Author Villarreal, R.; Lin, P.-C.; Faraji, F.; Hassani, N.; Bana, H.; Zarkua, Z.; Nair, M.N.; Tsai, H.-C.; Auge, M.; Junge, F.; Hofsaess, H.C.; De Gendt, S.; De Feyter, S.; Brems, S.; Ahlgren, E.H.; Neyts, E.C.; Covaci, L.; Peeters, F.M.; Neek-Amal, M.; Pereira, L.M.C.
Title Breakdown of universal scaling for nanometer-sized bubbles in graphene Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Nano Letters Abbreviated Journal Nano Lett
Volume 21 Issue 19 Pages 8103-8110
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We report the formation of nanobubbles on graphene with a radius of the order of 1 nm, using ultralow energy implantation of noble gas ions (He, Ne, Ar) into graphene grown on a Pt(111) surface. We show that the universal scaling of the aspect ratio, which has previously been established for larger bubbles, breaks down when the bubble radius approaches 1 nm, resulting in much larger aspect ratios. Moreover, we observe that the bubble stability and aspect ratio depend on the substrate onto which the graphene is grown (bubbles are stable for Pt but not for Cu) and trapped element. We interpret these dependencies in terms of the atomic compressibility of the noble gas as well as of the adhesion energies between graphene, the substrate, and trapped atoms.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000709549100026 Publication Date 2021-09-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1530-6984 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 12.712 Times cited 24 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 12.712
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:184137 Serial 6857
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Author Gogoi, A.; Neyts, E.C.; Milošević, M.V.; Peeters, F.M.
Title Arresting aqueous swelling of layered graphene-oxide membranes with H3O+ and OH- ions Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication ACS applied materials and interfaces Abbreviated Journal Acs Appl Mater Inter
Volume 14 Issue 30 Pages 34946-34954
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Over the past decade, graphene oxide (GO) has emerged as a promising membrane material with superior separation performance and intriguing mechanical/chemical stability. However, its practical implementation remains very challenging primarily because of its undesirable swelling in an aqueous environment. Here, we demonstrated that dissociation of water molecules into H3O+ and OH- ions inside the interlayer gallery of a layered GO membrane can strongly affect its stability and performance. We reveal that H3O+ and OH- ions form clusters inside the GO laminates that impede the permeance of water and salt ions through the membrane. Dynamics of those clusters is sensitive to an external ac electric field, which can be used to tailor the membrane performance. The presence of H3O+ and OH- ions also leads to increased stability of the hydrogen bond (H-bond) network among the water molecules and the GO layers, which further reduces water permeance through the membrane, while crucially imparting stability to the layered GO membrane against undesirable swelling. KEYWORDS: layered graphene-oxide membrane, aqueous stability, H3O+ and OH- ions, external electric field, molecular dynamics
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000835946500001 Publication Date 2022-07-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1944-8244 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 9.5 Times cited 9 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 9.5
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:189467 Serial 7127
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Author Mehta, P.; Barboun, P.M.; Engelmann, Y.; Go, D.B.; Bogaerts, A.; Schneider, W.F.; Hicks, J.C.
Title Plasma-Catalytic Ammonia Synthesis beyond the Equilibrium Limit Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Acs Catalysis Abbreviated Journal Acs Catal
Volume 10 Issue 12 Pages 6726-6734
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We explore the consequences of nonthermal plasma-activation on product yields in catalytic ammonia synthesis, a reaction that is equilibrium-limited at elevated temperatures. We employ a minimal microkinetic model that incorporates the influence of plasma-activation on N2 dissociation rates to predict NH3 yields into and across the equilibrium-limited regime. NH3 yields are predicted to exceed bulk thermodynamic equilibrium limits on materials that are thermal-rate-limited by N2 dissociation. In all cases, yields revert to bulk equilibrium at temperatures at which thermal reaction rates exceed plasma-activated ones. Beyond-equilibrium NH3 yields are observed in a packed bed dielectric barrier discharge reactor and exhibit sensitivity to catalytic material choice in a way consistent with model predictions. The approach and results highlight the opportunity to exploit synergies between nonthermal plasmas and catalysts to affect transformations at conditions inaccessible through thermal routes.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000543663800015 Publication Date 2020-06-19
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2155-5435 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 12.9 Times cited Open Access
Notes University of Notre Dame; Basic Energy Sciences, DE-SC-0016543 ; Air Force Office of Scientific Research, FA9550-18-1- 0157 ; This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Sustainable Ammonia Synthesis Program, under Award DE-SC-0016543 and by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, under Award FA9550-18-1-0157. P.M. acknowledges support through the Eilers Graduate Fellowship for Energy Related Research from the University of Notre Dame. Computational resources were provided by the Notre Dame Center for Research Computing. We thank the Notre Dame Energy Materials Characterization Facility and the Notre Dame Integrated Imaging Facility for the use of the X-ray diffractometer and the transmission electron microscope, respectively. Approved Most recent IF: 12.9; 2020 IF: 10.614
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:170713 Serial 6405
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Author Yi, Y.; Wang, X.; Jafarzadeh, A.; Wang, L.; Liu, P.; He, B.; Yan, J.; Zhang, R.; Zhang, H.; Liu, X.; Guo, H.; Neyts, E.C.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Plasma-Catalytic Ammonia Reforming of Methane over Cu-Based Catalysts for the Production of HCN and H2at Reduced Temperature Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Acs Catalysis Abbreviated Journal Acs Catal
Volume 11 Issue 3 Pages 1765-1773
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Industrial production of HCN from NH3 and CH4 not only uses precious Pt or Pt−Rh catalysts but also requires extremely high temperatures (∼1600 K). From an energetic, operational, and safety perspective, a drastic decrease in temperature is highly desirable. Here, we report ammonia reforming of methane for the production of HCN and H2 at 673 K by the combination of CH4/NH3 plasma and a supported Cu/silicalite-1 catalyst. 30% CH4 conversion has been achieved with 79% HCN selectivity. Catalyst characterization and plasma diagnostics reveal that the excellent reaction performance is attributed to metallic Cu active sites. In addition, we propose a possible reaction pathway, viz. E-R reactions with N, NH, NH2, and CH radicals produced in the plasma, for the production of HCN, based on density functional theory calculations. Importantly, the Cu/silicalite-1 catalyst costs less than 5% of the commercial Pt mesh catalyst.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000618540300057 Publication Date 2021-02-05
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2155-5435 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 10.614 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Universiteit Antwerpen, 32249 ; China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, 2015M580220 2016T90217 ; PetroChina Innovation Foundation, 2018D-5007-0501 ; National Natural Science Foundation of China, 21503032 ; We acknowledge financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [21503032], the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation [grant numbers 2015M580220 and 2016T90217, 2016], the PetroChina Innovation Foundation [2018D-5007-0501], and the TOP research project of the Research Fund of the University of Antwerp [grant ID 32249]. Approved Most recent IF: 10.614
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:175880 Serial 6675
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Author Cui, Z.; Meng, S.; Yi, Y.; Jafarzadeh, A.; Li, S.; Neyts, E.C.; Hao, Y.; Li, L.; Zhang, X.; Wang, X.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Plasma-catalytic methanol synthesis from CO₂ hydrogenation over a supported Cu cluster catalyst : insights into the reaction mechanism Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Acs Catalysis Abbreviated Journal Acs Catal
Volume 12 Issue 2 Pages 1326-1337
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma-catalytic CO, hydrogenation for methanol production is gaining increasing interest, but our understanding of its reaction mechanism remains primitive. We present a combined experimental/computational study on plasma-catalytic CO, hydrogenation to CH3OH over a size-selected Cu/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst. Our experiments demonstrate a synergistic effect between the Cu/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst and the CO2/H-2 plasma, achieving a CO2 conversion of 10% at 4 wt % Cu loading and a CH3OH selectivity near 50% further rising to 65% with H2O addition (for a H2O/CO2 ratio of 1). Furthermore, the energy consumption for CH3OH production was more than 20 times lower than with plasma only. We carried out density functional theory calculations over a Cu-13/gamma-Al2O3 model, which reveal that the interfacial sites of the Cu-13 cluster and gamma-Al2O3 support show a bifunctional effect: they not only activate the CO2 molecules but also strongly adsorb key intermediates to promote their hydrogenation further. Reactive plasma species can regulate the catalyst surface reactions via the Eley-Rideal (E-R) mechanism, which accelerates the hydrogenation process and promotes the generation of the key intermediates. H2O can promote the CH3OH desorption by competitive adsorption over the Cu-13/gamma-Al2O3 surface. This study provides new insights into CO2 hydrogenation through plasma catalysis, and it provides inspiration for the conversion of some other small molecules (CH4, N-2, CO, etc.) by plasma catalysis using supported-metal clusters.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000742735600001 Publication Date 2022-01-07
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2155-5435 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 12.9 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 12.9
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:186416 Serial 7192
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Author Nematollahi, P.; Barbiellini, B.; Bansil, A.; Lamoen, D.; Qingying, J.; Mukerjee, S.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Identification of a Robust and Durable FeN4CxCatalyst for ORR in PEM Fuel Cells and the Role of the Fifth Ligand Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication ACS catalysis Abbreviated Journal Acs Catal
Volume Issue Pages 7541-7549
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Although recent studies have advanced the understanding of pyrolyzed

Fe−N−C materials as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts, the atomic and

electronic structures of the active sites and their detailed reaction mechanisms still remain unknown. Here, based on first-principles density functional theory (DFT) computations, we discuss the electronic structures of three FeN4 catalytic centers with different local topologies of the surrounding C atoms with a focus on unraveling the mechanism of their ORR activity in acidic electrolytes. Our study brings back a forgotten, synthesized pyridinic Fe−N coordinate to the community’s attention, demonstrating that this catalyst can exhibit excellent activity for promoting direct four-electron ORR through the addition of a fifth ligand such as −NH2, −OH, and −SO4. We also identify sites with good stability properties through the combined use of our DFT calculations and Mössbauer spectroscopy data.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000823193100001 Publication Date 2022-06-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2155-5435 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 12.9 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Basic Energy Sciences, DE-FG02-07ER46352 ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 1261721N ; Opetus- ja Kulttuuriministeri?; Department of Energy, DE-EE0008416 ; Approved Most recent IF: 12.9
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:189000 Serial 7073
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Author Biswas, A.N.; Winter, L.R.; Loenders, B.; Xie, Z.; Bogaerts, A.; Chen, J.G.
Title Oxygenate Production from Plasma-Activated Reaction of CO2and Ethane Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Acs Energy Letters Abbreviated Journal Acs Energy Lett
Volume Issue Pages 236-241
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Upgrading ethane with CO2 as a soft oxidant represents a desirable means of obtaining oxygenated hydrocarbons. This reaction is not thermodynamically feasible under mild conditions and has not been previously achieved as a one-step process. Nonthermal plasma was implemented as an alternative means of supplying energy to overcome activation barriers, leading to the production of alcohols, aldehydes, and acids as well as C1−C5+ hydrocarbons under ambient pressure, with a maximum total oxygenate selectivity of 12%. A plasma chemical kinetic computational model was developed and found to be in good agreement with the experimental trends. Results from this study illustrate the potential to use plasma for the direct synthesis of value-added alcohols, acids, and aldehydes from ethane and CO2 under mild conditions.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000732435700001 Publication Date 2021-12-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2380-8195 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Basic Energy Sciences, DE-SC0012704 ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, S001619N ; H2020 European Research Council, 810182 ; National Science Foundation, DGE 16-44869 ; This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Catalysis Science Program (grant no. DE-SC0012704). L.R.W. acknowledges the U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program grant number DGE 16-44869. B.L. and A.B. acknowledge support from the FWO-SBO project PLASMA240 Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:184812 Serial 6897
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Author Bogaerts, A.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Plasma Technology: An Emerging Technology for Energy Storage Type A1 Journal article
Year 2018 Publication ACS energy letters Abbreviated Journal Acs Energy Lett
Volume 3 Issue 4 Pages 1013-1027
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma technology is gaining increasing interest for gas conversion applications, such as CO2 conversion into value-added chemicals or renewable fuels, and N2 fixation from the air, to be used for the production of small building blocks for, e.g., mineral fertilizers. Plasma is generated by electric power and can easily be switched on/off, making it, in principle, suitable for using intermittent renewable electricity. In this Perspective article, we explain why plasma might be promising for this application. We briefly present the most common types of plasma reactors with their characteristic features, illustrating why some plasma types exhibit better energy efficiency than others. We also highlight current research in the fields of CO2 conversion (including the combined conversion of CO2 with CH4, H2O, or H2) as well as N2 fixation (for NH3 or NOx synthesis). Finally, we discuss the major limitations and steps to be taken for further improvement.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000430369600035 Publication Date 2018-04-13
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2380-8195 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited 56 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Universiteit Antwerpen, TOP research project 32249 ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, G.0217.14N G.0254.14N G.0383.16N ; Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:150358 Serial 4919
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Author O'Modhrain, C.; Trenchev, G.; Gorbanev, Y.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Upscaling plasma-based CO₂ conversion : case study of a multi-reactor gliding arc plasmatron Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication ACS Engineering Au Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Atmospheric pressure plasmas have shifted in recent years from being a burgeoning research field in the academic setting to an actively investigated technology in the chemical, oil, and environmental industries. This is largely driven by the climate change mitigation efforts, as well as the evident pathways of value creation by converting greenhouse gases (such as CO2) into useful chemical feedstock. Currently, most high technology readiness level (TRL) plasma-based technologies are based on volumetric and power-based scaling of thermal plasma systems, which results in large capital investment and regular maintenance costs. This work investigates bringing a quasi-thermal (so-called “warm”) plasma setup, namely, a gliding arc plasmatron, from a lab-scale to a pilot-scale capacity with an increase in throughput capacity by a factor of 10. The method of scaling is the parallelization of plasmatron reactors within a single housing, with the aim of maintaining a warm plasma regime while simultaneously improving build cost and efficiency (compared to separate reactors operating in parallel). Special attention is also given to the safety and control features implemented in the setup, a key component required for integration into industrial systems. The performance of the multi-reactor gliding arc plasmatron (MRGAP) reactor is investigated, focusing on the influence of flow rate and the number of active reactors. The location of active reactors was deemed to have a negligible effect on the monitored metrics of conversion, energy efficiency, and energy cost. The optimum operating conditions were found to be with the most active reactors (five) at the highest investigated flow rate (80 L/min). Analysis of results suggests that an optimum conversion (9%) and plug power-based energy efficiency (19%) can be maintained at a specific energy input (SEI) around 5.3 kJ/L (or 1 eV/molecule). The concept of parallelization of plasmatron reactors within a singular housing was demonstrated to be a viable method for scaling up from a lab-scale to a prototype-scale device, with performance analysis suggesting that increasing the power (through adding more reactor channels) and total flow rate, while maintaining an SEI around 5.3 or 4.2 kJ/L, i.e., 1.3 or 1 eV/molecule (based on plug power and plasma-deposited power, respectively), can result in increased conversion rate without sacrificing absolute conversion or energy efficiency.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001166625200001 Publication Date 2024-02-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:204749 Serial 9182
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Author Grubova, I.Y.; Surmenev, R.A.; Neyts, E.C.; Koptyug, A.V.; Volkova, A.P.; Surmeneva, M.A.
Title Combined first-principles and experimental study on the microstructure and mechanical characteristics of the multicomponent additive-manufactured Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta alloy Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication ACS Omega Abbreviated Journal
Volume 8 Issue 30 Pages 27519-27533
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract New & beta;-stabilizedTi-based alloys are highly promising forbone implants, thanks in part to their low elasticity. The natureof this elasticity, however, is as yet unknown. We here present combinedfirst-principles DFT calculations and experiments on the microstructure,structural stability, mechanical characteristics, and electronic structureto elucidate this origin. Our results suggest that the studied & beta;Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta wt % (TNZT) alloy manufacturedby the electron-beam powder bed fusion (E-PBF) method has homogeneousmechanical properties (H = 2.01 & PLUSMN; 0.22 GPa and E = 69.48 & PLUSMN; 0.03 GPa) along the building direction,which is dictated by the crystallographic texture and microstructuremorphologies. The analysis of the structural and electronic properties,as the main factors dominating the chemical bonding mechanism, indicatesthat TNZT has a mixture of strong metallic and weak covalent bonding.Our calculations demonstrate that the softening in the Cauchy pressure(C & PRIME; = 98.00 GPa) and elastic constant C ̅ ( 44 ) = 23.84 GPa is the originof the low elasticity of TNZT. Moreover, the nature of this softeningphenomenon can be related to the weakness of the second and thirdneighbor bonds in comparison with the first neighbor bonds in theTNZT. Thus, the obtained results indicate that a carefully designedTNZT alloy can be an excellent candidate for the manufacturing oforthopedic internal fixation devices. In addition, the current findingscan be used as guidance not only for predicting the mechanical propertiesbut also the nature of elastic characteristics of the newly developedalloys with yet unknown properties.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001031269000001 Publication Date 2023-07-18
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2470-1343 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.1 Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.1; 2023 IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:198313 Serial 9011
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Author Almohammadi, G.; O'Modhrain, C.; Kelly, S.; Sullivan, J.A.
Title Ti-doped SBA-15 catalysts used in phenol oxidation reactions Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication ACS Omega Abbreviated Journal
Volume 5 Issue 1 Pages 791-798
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Two Ti-SBA-15 catalysts are synthesized using techniques that should either deposit Ti atoms specifically at the SBA-15 surface or allow Ti-containing species to exist at both the surface and within the bulk of SBA-15. The materials have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman and UV visible spectroscopies, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry microscopies, and N-2 physisorption experiments. They have been applied in the total oxidation of phenol under catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) conditions and using photo- and plasma promotion. The materials retain the structure of SBA-15 following the doping in both cases and Ti incorporation is confirmed. The nature of the incorporated Ti remains unclear-with evidence for anatase TiO2 (from Raman and UV vis analysis) and evidence for atomically dispersed Ti from FTIR. In terms of reactivity, the presence of Ti in the in situ-prepared catalyst improves reactivity in the photopromoted reaction (increasing conversion from 28 to 60%), while both Ti catalysts improve reactivity in the CWAO reaction (by 7% over the in situ catalyst and by 25% over the grafted material). The presence of Ti has no beneficial effect on conversion in the plasma-promoted reaction. Here, however, Ti does affect the nature of the oxidized intermediates formed during the total phenol oxidation.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000507578300086 Publication Date 2019-12-30
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2470-1343 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.1 Times cited Open Access
Notes ; The KSA Ministry of Higher Education is acknowledged for providing G.A.'s studentship, and IRC funded the plasma work under grant ref: GOIPD/2017/1000. ; Approved Most recent IF: 4.1; 2020 IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:166578 Serial 6629
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Author Engelmann, Y.; Mehta, P.; Neyts, E.C.; Schneider, W.F.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Predicted Influence of Plasma Activation on Nonoxidative Coupling of Methane on Transition Metal Catalysts Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Acs Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering Abbreviated Journal Acs Sustain Chem Eng
Volume 8 Issue 15 Pages 6043-6054
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Movement Antwerp (MOVANT)
Abstract The combination of catalysis and nonthermal plasma holds promise for enabling difficult chemical conversions. The possible synergy between both depends strongly on the nature of the reactive plasma species and the catalyst material. In this paper, we show how vibrationally excited species and plasma-generated radicals interact with transition metal catalysts and how changing the catalyst material can improve the conversion rates and product selectivity. We developed a microkinetic model to investigate the impact of vibrational excitations and plasma-generated radicals on the nonoxidative coupling of methane over transition metal surfaces. We predict a significant increase in ethylene formation for vibrationally excited methane. Plasma-generated radicals have a stronger impact on the turnover frequencies with high selectivity toward ethylene on noble catalysts and mixed selectivity on non-noble catalysts. In general, we show how the optimal catalyst material depends on the desired products as well as the plasma conditions.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000526884000025 Publication Date 2020-04-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access
Notes Herculesstichting; University of Notre Dame; Universiteit Antwerpen; Division of Engineering Education and Centers, EEC-1647722 ; We would like to thank Tom Butterworth for his work on methane vibrational distribution functions (VDF) and for sharing his thoughts and experiences on this matter, specifically regarding the VDF of the degenerate modes of methane. We ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering pubs.acs.org/journal/ascecg Research Article https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c00906 ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2020, 8, 6043−6054 6052 also acknowledge financial support from the DOC-PRO3 and the TOP-BOF projects of the University of Antwerp. This work was carried out in part using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen, a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (Department EWI), and the University of Antwerp. Support for W.F.S. was provided by the National Science Foundation under cooperative agreement no. EEC-1647722, an Engineering Research Center for the Innovative and Strategic Transformation of Alkane Resources (CISTAR). P.M. acknowledges support through the Eilers Graduate Fellowship of the University of Notre Dame. Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2020 IF: 5.951
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:169228 Serial 6366
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Author Vervloessem, E.; Aghaei, M.; Jardali, F.; Hafezkhiabani, N.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Plasma-Based N2Fixation into NOx: Insights from Modeling toward Optimum Yields and Energy Costs in a Gliding Arc Plasmatron Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Acs Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering Abbreviated Journal Acs Sustain Chem Eng
Volume 8 Issue 26 Pages 9711-9720
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma technology provides a sustainable, fossil-free method for N2 fixation, i.e., the conversion of inert atmospheric N2 into valuable substances, such as NOx or ammonia. In this work, we present a novel gliding arc plasmatron at atmospheric pressure for NOx production at different N2/O2 gas feed ratios, offering a promising NOx yield of 1.5% with an energy cost of 3.6 MJ/mol NOx produced. To explain the underlying mechanisms, we present a chemical kinetics model, validated by experiments, which provides insight into the NOx formation pathways and into the ambivalent role of the vibrational kinetics. This allows us to pinpoint the factors limiting the yield and energy cost, which can help to further improve the process.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000548456600013 Publication Date 2020-07-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Herculesstichting; Universiteit Antwerpen; Vlaamse regering; H2020 European Research Council, 810182 ; N2 Applied; Excellence of Science FWO – FNRS project, 30505023 GoF9618n ; Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2020 IF: 5.951
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:170138 Serial 6392
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Author Engelmann, Y.; van ’t Veer, K.; Gorbanev, Y.; Neyts, E.C.; Schneider, W.F.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Plasma Catalysis for Ammonia Synthesis: A Microkinetic Modeling Study on the Contributions of Eley–Rideal Reactions Type A1 Journal Article;Plasma catalysis
Year 2021 Publication Acs Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering Abbreviated Journal Acs Sustain Chem Eng
Volume 9 Issue 39 Pages 13151-13163
Keywords A1 Journal Article;Plasma catalysis; Eley−Rideal reactions; Volcano plots; Vibrational excitation; Radical reactions; Dielectric barrier discharge; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Abstract Plasma catalysis is an emerging new technology for the electrification and downscaling of NH3 synthesis. Increasing attention is being paid to the optimization of plasma catalysis with respect to the plasma conditions, the catalyst material, and their mutual interaction. In this work we use microkinetic models to study how the total conversion process is impacted by the combination of different plasma conditions and transition metal catalysts. We study how plasma-generated radicals and vibrationally excited N2 (present in a dielectric barrier discharge plasma) interact with the catalyst and impact the NH3 turnover frequencies (TOFs). Both filamentary and uniform plasmas are studied, based on plasma chemistry models that provided plasma phase speciation and vibrational distribution functions. The Langmuir−Hinshelwood reaction rate coefficients (i.e., adsorption reactions and subsequent reactions among adsorbates) are determined using conventional scaling relations. An additional set of Eley−Rideal reactions (i.e., direct reactions of plasma radicals with adsorbates) was added and a sensitivity analysis on the assumed reaction rate coefficients was performed. We first show the impact of different vibrational distribution functions on the catalytic dissociation of N2 and subsequent production of NH3, and we gradually include more radical reactions, to illustrate the contribution of these species and their corresponding reaction pathways. Analysis over a large range of catalysts indicates that different transition metals (metals such as Rh, Ni, Pt, and Pd) optimize the NH3TOFs depending on the population of the vibrational levels of N2. At higher concentrations of plasma-generated radicals, the NH3 TOFs become less dependent on the catalyst material, due to radical adsorptions on the more noble catalysts and Eley−Rideal reactions on the less noble catalysts.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000705367800004 Publication Date 2021-10-04
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.951 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Basic Energy Sciences, DE-SC0021107 ; Vlaamse regering, HBC.2019.0108 ; H2020 European Research Council, 810182 ; Methusalem project – University of Antwerp; Excellence of science FWO-FNRS, GoF9618n ; TOP-BOF – University of Antwerp; DOCPRO3 – University of Antwerp; We acknowledge the financial support from the DOC-PRO3, the TOP-BOF, and the Methusalem project of the University of Antwerp, as well as from the European Research Council (ERC) (grant agreement No, 810182−SCOPE ERC Synergy project), under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, the Flemish Government through the Moonshot cSBO project P2C (HBC.2019.0108), and the Excellence of Science FWO-FNRS project (FWO grant ID GoF9618n, EOS ID 30505023). Calculations were carried out using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen, a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (Department EWI), 13162 Approved Most recent IF: 5.951
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:182482 Serial 6811
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Author Eshtehardi, H.A.; van 't Veer, K.; Delplancke, M.-P.; Reniers, F.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Postplasma Catalytic Model for NO Production: Revealing the Underlying Mechanisms to Improve the Process Efficiency Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering Abbreviated Journal
Volume 11 Issue 5 Pages 1720-1733
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma catalysis is emerging for plasma-assisted gas conversion processes. However, the underlying mechanisms of plasma catalysis are poorly understood. In this work, we present a 1D heterogeneous catalysis model with axial dispersion (i.e., accounting for back-mixing and molecular diffusion of fluid elements in the process stream in the axial direction), for plasma-catalytic NO production from N2/O2 mixtures. We investigate the concentration and reaction rates of each species formed as a function of time and position across the catalyst, in order to determine the underlying mechanisms. To obtain insights into how the performance of the process can be further improved, we also study how changes in the postplasma gas flow composition entering the catalyst bed and in the operation conditions of the catalytic stage affect the performance of NO production.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000926412800001 Publication Date 2023-02-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 30505023 GoF9618n ; Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique FNRS, 30505023 GoF9618n ; H2020 European Research Council, 810182 ; Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2023 IF: 5.951
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:195377 Serial 7241
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Eshtehardi, H.A.; Van ‘t Veer, K.; Delplancke, M.-P.; Reniers, F.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Postplasma Catalytic Model for NO Production: Revealing the Underlying Mechanisms to Improve the Process Efficiency Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering Abbreviated Journal
Volume 11 Issue 5 Pages 1720-1733
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma catalysis is emerging for plasma-assisted gas conversion

processes. However, the underlying mechanisms of plasma catalysis are poorly

understood. In this work, we present a 1D heterogeneous catalysis model with axial

dispersion (i.e., accounting for back-mixing and molecular diffusion of fluid elements in

the process stream in the axial direction), for plasma-catalytic NO production from

N2/O2 mixtures. We investigate the concentration and reaction rates of each species

formed as a function of time and position across the catalyst, in order to determine the

underlying mechanisms. To obtain insights into how the performance of the process

can be further improved, we also study how changes in the postplasma gas flow

composition entering the catalyst bed and in the operation conditions of the catalytic

stage affect the performance of NO production.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000926412800001 Publication Date 2023-02-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This research was supported by the Excellence of Science FWO-FNRS project (FWO grant ID GoF9618n, EOS ID 30505023) and the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 810182 − SCOPE ERC Synergy project). The calculations were performed using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen (UAntwerpen), a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the UAntwerpen. Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2023 IF: 5.951
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:195377 Serial 7257
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Eshtehardi, H.A.; Van ‘t Veer, K.; Delplancke, M.-P.; Reniers, F.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Postplasma Catalytic Model for NO Production: Revealing the Underlying Mechanisms to Improve the Process Efficiency Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering Abbreviated Journal
Volume 11 Issue 5 Pages 1720-1733
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma catalysis is emerging for plasma-assisted gas conversion

processes. However, the underlying mechanisms of plasma catalysis are poorly

understood. In this work, we present a 1D heterogeneous catalysis model with axial

dispersion (i.e., accounting for back-mixing and molecular diffusion of fluid elements in

the process stream in the axial direction), for plasma-catalytic NO production from

N2/O2 mixtures. We investigate the concentration and reaction rates of each species

formed as a function of time and position across the catalyst, in order to determine the

underlying mechanisms. To obtain insights into how the performance of the process

can be further improved, we also study how changes in the postplasma gas flow

composition entering the catalyst bed and in the operation conditions of the catalytic

stage affect the performance of NO production.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000926412800001 Publication Date 2023-02-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 30505023 GoF9618n ; Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique – FNRS, 30505023 GoF9618n ; H2020 European Research Council, 810182 ; Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2023 IF: 5.951
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:195377 Serial 7258
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Tsonev, I.; O’Modhrain, C.; Bogaerts, A.; Gorbanev, Y.
Title Nitrogen Fixation by an Arc Plasma at Elevated Pressure to Increase the Energy Efficiency and Production Rate of NOx Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering Abbreviated Journal
Volume 11 Issue 5 Pages 1888-1897
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma-based nitrogen fixation for fertilizer production is an attractive alternative to the fossil fuel-based industrial processes. However, many factors hinder its applicability, e.g., the commonly observed inverse correlation between energy consumption and production rates or the necessity to enhance the selectivity toward NO2, the desired product for a more facile formation of nitrate-based fertilizers. In this work, we investigated the use of a rotating gliding arc plasma for nitrogen fixation at elevated pressures (up to 3 barg), at different feed gas flow rates and composition. Our results demonstrate a dramatic increase in the amount of NOx produced as a function of increasing pressure, with a record-low EC of 1.8 MJ/(mol N) while yielding a high production rate of 69 g/h and a high selectivity (94%) of NO2. We ascribe this improvement to the enhanced thermal Zeldovich mechanism and an increased rate of NO oxidation compared to the back reaction of NO with atomic oxygen, due to the elevated pressure.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000924366700001 Publication Date 2023-02-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, G0G2322N ; Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, 965546 ; Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2023 IF: 5.951
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:194281 Serial 7239
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Author Sahun, M.; Privat-Maldonado, A.; Lin, A.; De Roeck, N.; Van de Heyden, L.; Hillen, M.; Michiels, J.; Steenackers, G.; Smits, E.; Ariën, K.K.; Jorens, P.G.; Delputte, P.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and other enveloped and non-enveloped viruses with non-thermal plasma for hospital disinfection Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-10
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Center for Oncological Research (CORE); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)
Abstract As recently highlighted by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, viruses have become an increasing burden for health, global economy, and environment. The control of transmission by contact with contaminated materials represents a major challenge, particularly in hospital environments. However, the current disinfection methods in hospital settings suffer from numerous drawbacks. As a result, several medical supplies that cannot be properly disinfected are not reused, leading to severe shortages and increasing amounts of waste, thus prompting the search for alternative solutions. In this work, we report that non-thermal plasma (NTP) can effectively inactivate SARS-CoV-2 from non-porous and porous materials commonly found in healthcare facilities. We demonstrated that 5 min treatment with a dielectric barrier discharge NTP can inactivate 100% of SARS-CoV-2 (Wuhan and Omicron strains) from plastic material. Using porcine respiratory coronavirus (surrogate for SARS-CoV-2) and coxsackievirus B3 (highly resistant non-enveloped virus), we tested the NTP virucidal activity on hospital materials and obtained complete inactivation after 5 and 10 min, respectively. We hypothesize that the produced reactive species and local acidification contribute to the overall virucidal effect of NTP. Our results demonstrate the potential of dielectric barrier discharge NTPs for the rapid, efficient, and low-cost disinfection of healthcare materials.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000964269500001 Publication Date 2023-03-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2023 IF: 5.951
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:194897 Serial 7269
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Author Vervloessem, E.; Gromov, M.; De Geyter, N.; Bogaerts, A.; Gorbanev, Y.; Nikiforov, A.
Title NH3and HNOxFormation and Loss in Nitrogen Fixation from Air with Water Vapor by Nonequilibrium Plasma Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering Abbreviated Journal
Volume 11 Issue 10 Pages 4289-4298
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract The current global energy crisis indicated that increasing our

insight into nonfossil fuel nitrogen fixation pathways for synthetic fertilizer

production is more crucial than ever. Nonequilibrium plasma is a good candidate

because it can use N2 or air as a N source and water directly as a H source, instead

of H2 or fossil fuel (CH4). In this work, we investigate NH3 gas phase formation

pathways from humid N2 and especially humid air up to 2.4 mol % H2O (100%

relative humidity at 20 °C) by optical emission spectroscopy and Fouriertransform

infrared spectroscopy. We demonstrate that the nitrogen fixation

capacity is increased when water vapor is added, as this enables HNO2 and NH3

production in both N2 and air. However, we identified a significant loss

mechanism for NH3 and HNO2 that occurs in systems where these species are

synthesized simultaneously; i.e., downstream from the plasma, HNO2 reacts with NH3 to form NH4NO2, which rapidly decomposes

into N2 and H2O. We also discuss approaches to prevent this loss mechanism, as it reduces the effective nitrogen fixation when not

properly addressed and therefore should be considered in future works aimed at optimizing plasma-based N2 fixation. In-line removal

of HNO2 or direct solvation in liquid are two proposed strategies to suppress this loss mechanism. Indeed, using liquid H2O is

beneficial for accumulation of the N2 fixation products. Finally, in humid air, we also produce NH4NO3, from the reaction of HNO3

with NH3, which is of direct interest for fertilizer application.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000953337700001 Publication Date 2023-03-13
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This research is supported by the Excellence of Science FWOFNRS project (NITROPLASM, FWO grant ID GoF9618n, EOS ID 30505023), the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant No. 810182 − SCOPE ERC Synergy project), and the Fund for Scientific Research (FWO) Flanders Bioeconomy project (grant No. G0G2322N), funded by the European Union-NextGenerationEU. Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2023 IF: 5.951
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:195878 Serial 7254
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Author Li, S.; Sun, J.; Gorbanev, Y.; van’t Veer, K.; Loenders, B.; Yi, Y.; Kenis, T.; Chen, Q.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Plasma-Assisted Dry Reforming of CH4: How Small Amounts of O2Addition Can Drastically Enhance the Oxygenate Production─Experiments and Insights from Plasma Chemical Kinetics Modeling Type A1 Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering Abbreviated Journal ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.
Volume 11 Issue 42 Pages 15373-15384
Keywords A1 Journal Article; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Abstract Plasma-based dry reforming of methane (DRM) into

high-value-added oxygenates is an appealing approach to enable

otherwise thermodynamically unfavorable chemical reactions at

ambient pressure and near room temperature. However, it suffers

from coke deposition due to the deep decomposition of CH4. In this

work, we assess the DRM performance upon O2 addition, as well as

varying temperature, CO2/CH4 ratio, discharge power, and gas

residence time, for optimizing oxygenate production. By adding O2,

the main products can be shifted from syngas (CO + H2) toward

oxygenates. Chemical kinetics modeling shows that the improved

oxygenate production is due to the increased concentration of

oxygen-containing radicals, e.g., O, OH, and HO2, formed by electron

impact dissociation [e + O2 → e + O + O/O(1D)] and subsequent

reactions with H atoms. Our study reveals the crucial role of oxygen-coupling in DRM aimed at oxygenates, providing practical

solutions to suppress carbon deposition and at the same time enhance the oxygenates production in plasma-assisted DRM.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001082603900001 Publication Date 2023-10-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, S001619N ; China Scholarship Council, 202006060029 ; National Natural Science Foundation of China, 21975018 ; H2020 European Research Council, 810182 ; Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2023 IF: 5.951
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:201013 Serial 8966
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Author Vertongen, R.; De Felice, G.; van den Bogaard, H.; Gallucci, F.; Bogaerts, A.; Li, S.
Title Sorption-Enhanced Dry Reforming of Methane in a DBD Plasma Reactor for Single-Stage Carbon Capture and Utilization Type A1 Journal Article
Year 2024 Publication ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering Abbreviated Journal ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.
Volume 12 Issue 29 Pages 10841-10853
Keywords A1 Journal Article; plasma, dry reforming of methane, dielectric barrier discharge, sorbent, carbon capture and utilization, zeolite; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Abstract Plasma−sorbent systems are a novel technology for single-stage carbon capture and utilization (CCU), where the plasma enables the desorption of CO2 from a sorbent and the simultaneous conversion to CO. In this study, we test the flexibility of a plasma−sorbent system in a single unit, specifically for sorption-enhanced dry reforming of methane (DRM). The experimental results indicate the selective adsorption of CO2 by the sorbent zeolite 5A in the first step, and CH4 addition during the plasma-based desorption of CO2 enables DRM to various value-added products in the second step, such as H2, CO, hydrocarbons, and the byproduct H2O. Furthermore, our work also demonstrates that zeolite has the potential to increase the conversion of CO2 and CH4, attributed to its capability to capture H2O. Aside from the notable carbon deposition, material analysis shows that the zeolite remains relatively stable under plasma exposure.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2024-07-22
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access
Notes Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 110221N V404823N ; H2020 European Research Council, 810182 ; Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2024 IF: 5.951
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @ Serial 9264
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Author Maerivoet, S.; Wanten, B.; De Meyer, R.; Van Hove, M.; Van Alphen, S.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Effect of O2on Plasma-Based Dry Reforming of Methane: Revealing the Optimal Gas Composition via Experiments and Modeling of an Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharge Type A1 Journal Article
Year 2024 Publication ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering Abbreviated Journal ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.
Volume 12 Issue 30 Pages 11419-11434
Keywords A1 Journal Article; plasma-based conversion, thermal plasma, syngas production, CO2 conversion, CH4 conversio; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Abstract Plasma technology is gaining increasing interest for the conversion of greenhouse gases, such as CO2 and CH4, into value-added chemicals using (renewable) electricity. In this paper, we study the effect of O2 addition to the combined conversion of CO2 and CH4 in an atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasma. This process is called “oxidative CO2 reforming of methane”, and we search for the optimal gas mixing ratio in terms of conversion, energy cost, product output and plasma stability. A mixing ratio of 42.5:42.5:15 CO2/CH4/O2 yields the best performance, with a CO2 and CH4 conversion of 50 and 74%, respectively, and an energy cost as low as 2 eV molecule−1 (corresponding to 7.9 kJ L−1 and 190 kJ mol−1), i.e., clearly below the target defined to be competitive with other technologies. The syngas components (CO and H2) are the most important products, with a syngas ratio, H2/CO, being 0.8. Plasma destabilization at high CH4 fractions due to solid carbon formation is the limiting factor for further improving this syngas ratio. The solid carbon material is found to be contaminated with steel particles originating from the electrode material, rendering it unappealing as a side product. Therefore, O2 addition helps to remove the carbon formation. Besides the experiments, we developed a 2D axisymmetric fluid dynamics model, which can successfully predict the experimental trends in conversion, product composition and temperatures, while providing unique insights in the formation of CxHy species.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=brocade2&SrcAuth=WosAPI&KeyUT=WOS:001280 Publication Date 2024-07-29
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access
Notes Universiteit Antwerpen; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 40007511 G0I1822N ; H2020 European Research Council, 810182 ; Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2024 IF: 5.951
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:207488 Serial 9257
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Gorbanev, Y.; Vervloessem, E.; Nikiforov, A.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Nitrogen fixation with water vapor by nonequilibrium plasma : toward sustainable ammonia production Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Acs Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering Abbreviated Journal Acs Sustain Chem Eng
Volume 8 Issue 7 Pages 2996-3004
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Ammonia is a crucial nutrient used for plant growth and as a building block in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry, produced via nitrogen fixation of the ubiquitous atmospheric N2. Current industrial ammonia production relies heavily on fossil resources, but a lot of work is put into developing nonfossil-based pathways. Among these is the use of nonequilibrium plasma. In this work, we investigated water vapor as a H source for nitrogen fixation into NH3 by nonequilibrium plasma. The highest selectivity toward NH3 was observed with low amounts of added H2O vapor, but the highest production rate was reached at high H2O vapor contents. We also studied the role of H2O vapor and of the plasma-exposed liquid H2O in nitrogen fixation by using isotopically labeled water to distinguish between these two sources of H2O. We show that added H2O vapor, and not liquid H2O, is the main source of H for NH3 generation. The studied catalyst- and H2-free method offers excellent selectivity toward NH3 (up to 96%), with energy consumption (ca. 95–118 MJ/mol) in the range of many plasma-catalytic H2-utilizing processes.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000516665500045 Publication Date 2020-02-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited 14 Open Access
Notes ; This research was supported by the Excellence of Science FWO-FNRS project (FWO grant ID GoF9618n, EOS ID 30505023), the Catalisti Moonshot project P2C, and the Methusalem project of the University of Antwerp. ; Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2020 IF: 5.951
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:167134 Serial 6568
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Author Zheng, J.; Zhang, H.; Lv, J.; Zhang, M.; Wan, J.; Gerrits, N.; Wu, A.; Lan, B.; Wang, W.; Wang, S.; Tu, X.; Bogaerts, A.; Li, X.
Title Enhanced NH3Synthesis from Air in a Plasma Tandem-Electrocatalysis System Using Plasma-Engraved N-Doped Defective MoS2 Type A1 Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication JACS Au Abbreviated Journal JACS Au
Volume 3 Issue 5 Pages 1328-1336
Keywords A1 Journal Article; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Abstract We have developed a sustainable method to produce NH3 directly from air using a plasma tandem-electrocatalysis system that operates via the N2−NOx−NH3 pathway. To efficiently reduce NO2− to NH3, we propose a novel electrocatalyst consisting of defective N-doped molybdenum sulfide nanosheets on vertical graphene arrays (N-MoS2/VGs). We used a plasma engraving process to form the metallic 1T phase, N doping, and S vacancies in the electrocatalyst simultaneously. Our system exhibited a remarkable NH3 production rate of 7.3 mg h−1 cm−2 at −0.53 V vs RHE, which is almost 100 times higher than the state-of-the-art electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction and more than double that of other hybrid systems. Moreover, a low energy consumption of only 2.4 MJ molNH3−1 was achieved in this study. Density functional theory calculations revealed that S vacancies and doped N atoms play a dominant role in the selective reduction of NO2− to NH3. This study opens up new avenues for efficient NH3 production using cascade systems.
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Language Wos 000981779300001 Publication Date 2023-05-22
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN 2691-3704 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51976191, 5227060056, 52276214) and the National Key Technologies R&D Program of China (2018YFE0117300). N.G. was financially supported through an NWO Rubicon Grant (019.202EN.012). X.T. acknowl- edges the support of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/X002713/1). Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:196761 Serial 8792
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Author Long, Y.; Wang, X.; Zhang, H.; Wang, K.; Ong, W.-L.; Bogaerts, A.; Li, K.; Lu, C.; Li, X.; Yan, J.; Tu, X.; Zhang, H.
Title Plasma chemical looping : unlocking high-efficiency CO₂ conversion to clean CO at mild temperatures Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication JACS Au Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We propose a plasma chemical looping CO2 splitting (PCLCS) approach that enables highly efficient CO2 conversion into O-2-free CO at mild temperatures. PCLCS achieves an impressive 84% CO2 conversion and a 1.3 mmol g(-1) CO yield, with no O-2 detected. Crucially, this strategy significantly lowers the temperature required for conventional chemical looping processes from 650 to 1000 degrees C to only 320 degrees C, demonstrating a robust synergy between plasma and the Ce0.7Zr0.3O2 oxygen carrier (OC). Systematic experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations unveil the pivotal role of plasma in activating and partially decomposing CO2, yielding a mixture of CO, O-2/O, and electronically/vibrationally excited CO2*. Notably, these excited CO2* species then efficiently decompose over the oxygen vacancies of the OCs, with a substantially reduced activation barrier (0.86 eV) compared to ground-state CO2 (1.63 eV), contributing to the synergy. This work offers a promising and energy-efficient pathway for producing O-2-free CO from inert CO2 through the tailored interplay of plasma and OCs.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001225139200001 Publication Date 2024-05-08
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:205970 Serial 9166
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