Methane oligomerization in a dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure

The conversion of methane into more valuable higher hydrocarbons has been more and more fascinating for both the industry and the scientific community. Recently, the direct conversion of methane by using various plasma technologies has received particular attention. This work reports on the formation of a liquid deposit during the plasma treatment of methane mixtures in a coaxial cylindrical dielectric barrier discharge reactor at atmospheric pressure. In order to investigate its nature, the liquid deposit has been analyzed by spectroscopic and mass spectrometric techniques. The material consists of a mixture of hydrocarbons, the most represented moiety being the gem-dimethyl group C-C(CH3)2-C.