CH4

MFC

He AC power
MFC supply

O2
MFC

blow heater
catalyst

Plasma GC
heating tape
Reactor

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of experimental set up

 6000 200

150
4000
100
2000
Voltage (kV)

Current (mA)
50

0 0

- 50
- 2000
- 100
- 4000
voltage - 150

current
- 6000 - 200
- 25 - 15 -5 5 15 25
Time cycle (µs)

Figure 2. Voltage and current profile

Figure 3. XRD spectrum of the catalyst after calcination: a. pure YSZ; b. 30% Hf/YSZ.
 (a)

(b)
Figure 4. Profile of (a) voltage and (b) current waveform of plasma-assisted catalyst
activation.
Table 1. Methane conversion and products distribution. Data was obtained at ratio of CH4:O2 = 4:1 and flow rate of 30 ml/min.
supplied CH4 selectivity (%)
power (W) conversion (%) H2 CO CO2 C2 C3 CH3OH
50 20.17 ±3.07 11.28 ±0.9 49.73 ±4.12 22.09 ±3.04 19.67 ±2.29 7.33 ±0.76 5.44 ±0.35
60 23.43 ±2.95 11.05 ±4.18 48.42 ±4.18 22.39 ±2.29 19.13 ±2.29 7.60 ±2.29 5.17 ±0.1
80 25.76 ±3.56 14.19 ±2.38 48.44 ±3.07 21.47 ±2.63 15.33 ±2.04 5.14 ±1.22 4.49 ±0.57

Table 2. Effects of catalysts on methane conversion and products distribution. Data was obtained at ratio of CH4:O2 = 4:1, flow rate of
30 ml/min and supplied power of 80 W.

catalyst CH4 selectivity (%)

treatment conversion (%) H2 CO CO2 C2 C3 CH3OH
blank 25.76 ±3.56 14.19 ±2.38 48.44 ±3.07 21.47 ±2.63 15.33 ±2.04 5.14 ±1.22 4.49 ±0.57
YSZ 30.80 ±4.17 28.46 ±2.18 39.01 ±3.079 30.48 ±2.74 14.90 ±1.54 0.00 ±0 6.64 ±0.31
no- treatment 24.25 ±4.34 17.03 ±2.13 45.54 ±4.57 20.78 ±2.67 15.32 ±2.14 3.26 ±1.23 4.89 ±0.44
He 34.91 ±3.33 20.09 ±2.29 45.02 ±1.73 11.84 ±1.37 14.47 ±1.58 0.00 ±0 10.14 ±0.8
He+PAO 30.84 ±2.36 23.72 ±2.29 54.41 ±2.25 32.05 ±1.78 9.45 ±2.29 0.00 ±0 7.42 ±0.22
He+PAO+PAR 35.34 ±2.56 20.13 ±1.98 46.77 ±1.13 11.98 ±1.29 15.57 ±1.96 0.00 ±0 9.63 ±0.25