Exploring opportunities in operando DRIFTS and complementary techniques for advancing plasma catalysis†

Exploring the dynamic interaction of non-thermal plasma (NTP) with catalytic processes is critical to unravelling elusive catalyst structure–function relationships under NTP conditions, specifically dielectric barrier discharges (DBD). This study investigates the efficacy of operando diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) as a tool for characterizing intermediates created by NTP on catalyst surfaces. Leveraging insights from traditional DRIFTS in thermochemical catalysis, we explore the complexities of plasma-induced catalytic reactions, discussing both opportunities and limitations of DRIFTS to study these reaction mechanisms. By summarizing findings from literature and addressing existing knowledge gaps, this perspective highlights how different DRIFTS configurations can affect results, stressing the importance of establishing best practices for studying DBD-driven reactions with DRIFTS. The intended outcomes of this work are to provide guidance on how to effectively use DRIFTS, share fundamental insights into DBD-assisted catalysis, and emphasize the need for complementary techniques to develop catalysts suited for NTP environments.