Current status and challenges of plasma and plasma-catalysis for methane coupling: A review

Non-thermal plasma appears as a promising alternative technology to develop the electrification of the petrochemical industry. Non-thermal plasma has the advantage of operating at atmospheric pressure and room temperature in “on/off” mode. The high-energy electrons generated are able to activate many reactants allowing thermodynamically unfavorable reactions to occur. Methane coupling is particularly important to produce C₂ hydrocarbons, especially ethylene known as a platform chemical for the synthesis of many products. In this review, the state-of-the-art of plasma and plasma-catalysis for methane coupling is described. Focus is given on plasma chemistry and the influence of different parameters related to plasma reactors and gas composition are discussed. The role of a catalyst coupled with plasma is detailed and synergies are explained for various catalytic compositions.