A review of the use of plasma techniques in catalyst preparation and catalytic reactions Review Article

The application of plasma techniques in the preparation of catalysts and in catalytic reactions published during the last fifteen years is briefly reviewed. Two different types of plasma are used in this field: low temperature plasma (low pressure plasma) and high temperature plasma. The first type of plasma technique is widely used for the modification of surface oxides, and for the preparation and regeneration of catalysts as well as for catalytic synthesis and decomposition. The second type is applied for the preparation of ceramic-based supports, recovery of precious metals from used catalysts, and catalytic reactions. Both oxides and supported metal catalysts have been prepared by this method. The catalytic reactions involving the plasma technique essentially involve NO, methane or ammonia as reactants. An interesting potential for this technique is its application in the recovery of the precious metals from car exhaust catalysts.