Wire-cylinder dielectric barrier discharge for styrene reduction and polymerization into aerosols

Styrene is a malodorous and toxic gas that poses significant harm to the environment. This paper proposed a dielectric barrier discharge reactor for styrene treatment. The styrene reduction and polymerization were studied. The results showed that the removal efficiency of styrene was 97.9 % at the specific input energy of 25 J/L. The G-value of styrene decomposition was 3.03 molecules per 100 eV. The energy efficiency of plasma-induced styrene removal was 118 g/kWh. The CO 2 selectivity was low, and many aerosols were generated. The oxygen-containing groups imply that the electron-induced radical reactions were key to the degradation and transformation of styrene. • The styrene removal efficiency of 97.9 % was achieved at a very low SIE of 25 J/L. • The G-values of styrene decomposition was 3.03 molecules per 100 eV. • The energy yield of styrene removal process was 118 g/kWh. • The effective but partial oxidation of styrene by plasma was confirmed by OES and FTIR.