GC-MS and GC-FID Analysis of Products from Glow Discharge in N2 + CH4 Mixture

Abstract

This work extends our previous investigation of nitrogen-methane atmospheric glow discharge for the simulation of chemical processes in prebiotic atmospheres. Also reactions on surfaces of solid state bodies can be important. So in presented experiments the electrodes with different shapes and different surface areas were used. Exhaust products of discharge in this gas mixture were analyzed by Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Gas Chromatography - Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The major products identified in chromatograms were hydrogen cyanide and acetylene.

Antibacterial Thin Films Deposited from Propane–Butane Mixture in Atmospheric Pressure Discharge

“…Ethane, ethylene and other nitriles were observed [ 21 , 22 ]. Nitrile groups are common products of the reaction of hydrocarbons (e.g., propane and butane) with nitrogen in discharges, see e.g., [ 23 ]. Dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons was also observed for hydrocarbons in discharge with nitrogen [ 23 ] or oxygen [ 24 ].…”

“…Nitrile groups are common products of the reaction of hydrocarbons (e.g., propane and butane) with nitrogen in discharges, see e.g., [ 23 ]. Dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons was also observed for hydrocarbons in discharge with nitrogen [ 23 ] or oxygen [ 24 ]. The mechanism of the formation of different gaseous products in the discharge could be found in [ 25 , 26 ].…”