The effect of particle gas composition and boundary conditions on triboplasma generation: a computational study using the particle-in-cell method

TL;DR

This study uses particle-in-cell simulations to explore how gas composition and boundary conditions influence triboplasma generation, identifying optimal conditions for free charge creation relevant to plasma gasification.

Contribution

It introduces a computational approach analyzing the effects of gas mixture ratios and boundary roughness on triboplasma generation, with findings applicable to plasma gasification processes.

Findings

Optimal C60:C12 ratios for electron production are 10:90 and 80:20.

Rough boundary conditions with tangential electric fields enhance charge localization.

Simulation results align with recent triboelectric plasma experiments.

Abstract

Two dimensional particle in cell simulations of free charge creation by collisional ionization of C12 and C60 molecules immersed in plasma for the parameters of relevance to plasma gasification are presented. Our main findings are that (i) in uniform plasmas with smooth walls two optimal values which emerge for free electron production by collisional ionization (i.e. a most efficient discharge condition creation) are $C60:C12$ fractions of $10:90$ and $80:20$, (ii) in plasmas with rough walls, modelled by comb-like electric field at the boundary, the case of tangential electric field creates significant charge localization in C12+ and C60+ species, again creating most favorable discharge condition for tribo-electrically generated plasma. The numerical simulation results are discussed with reference to recent triboelectric plasma experiments and are corroborated by suitable analytical models.