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H(2): The Critical Juncture between Polymerization and Dissociation of Hydrocarbons in a Low-temperature Plasma

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Abstract

The chemistry in an argon plasma jet, admixed with a small percentage of CH(4), C(2)H(2), H(2) and mixtures thereof, is investigated by means of residual gas analysis. Polymerization of such hydrocarbon precursors is known to occur when their densities exceed the Ar(+) ion density. This paper shows that polymerization also occurs for precursor gas flows far below the initial Ar(+) ion flow emanating from the plasma source. This is entirely due to the negative effect of H(2) on the Ar(+) ion density. Adding 1-2% of H(2) to the total argon and hydrocarbon gas flow suffices to initiate polymerization. Although, H(2) can be injected directly into the system, fragmentation of the hydrocarbon precursors themselves can likewise supply (part of) the required H(2). Polymerization is furthermore enhanced when both precursors are used together. The contribution of C(3)H(y) species to the plasma chemistry will likewise be substantiated.

Year of Publication
2011
Journal
Plasma Processes and Polymers
Volume
8
Issue
9
Number of Pages
832-841
Date Published
Sep
Type of Article
Article
ISBN Number
1612-8850
DOI
PId
9e98588b7029c4268b8f7ae1668361a8
Alternate Journal
Plasma Process. Polym.
Journal Article
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