An emission spectroscopy study of atmospheric plasmas formed by DC and pulsed corona discharges in hydrocarbon contaminated air

Optical emission spectroscopy was used to characterize the plasma produced by DC and pulsed corona discharges in air at ambient pressure in a wire-cylinder reactor. The experiments have been performed both in dry and humid air and also in the presence of n-hexane, used in 500 ppm concentration as a model pollutant. The results provide a thorough characterization of different plasma regimes in terms of electron, vibrational and rotational temperature and are discussed with reference to chemical reactivity data.