An efficient approach for degradation of sevoflurane exhaust gas by dielectric barrier discharge plasma combined with Fe₂O₃/NaY catalyst: Mechanism and toxicity analysis

A large amount of fluorinated ether anesthetic emissions seriously affects global warming and healthcare workers' health. Efficiently degrading low-concentration anesthetic waste gas remains a research challenge. This study applies dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) combined with a Fe 2 O 3 /NaY zeolite catalyst to decompose low-concentration sevoflurane. Key experimental parameters—discharge voltage, gas flow rate, and initial concentration—were examined for their influence on degradation efficiency and reactive species generation. With the catalyst, under conditions of 17 kV applied voltage, 500 ppm initial sevoflurane concentration, and 100 mL/min gas flow rate, the degradation rate of sevoflurane is as high as 99.4 %. Optical emission spectroscopy confirmed that active nitrogen species (excited N 2 and N 2 + ) and oxygen atoms (O) are critical in cleaving the C F bond in sevoflurane, with O atoms playing a leading role in subsequent oxidation. By-products and intermediates were identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The degradation mechanism and reaction pathways were elucidated by analyzing gas composition changes and intermediate products. This work offers an efficient and sustainable strategy for sevoflurane degradation, contributing to greenhouse gas reduction and waste anesthetic gas (WAG) management. Compared with the traditional catalytic process that relies on high temperature and high pressure, the system can operate at room temperature and pressure, and the catalyst still maintains good stability after multiple discharges, showing significant energy consumption and cost advantages. • Plasma–catalyst system achieves 99.4 % degradation of sevoflurane. • Fe₂O₃/NaY catalyst enhances DBD efficiency for anesthetic exhaust removal. • Optical emission spectroscopy reveals key reactive species in plasma process. • GC–MS identifies intermediates and clarifies degradation pathways. • Study provides insights for greenhouse gas mitigation and medical waste control.