Non-Oxidative Conversion of 1,2-Dichloroethane in a Non-Thermal Plasma and Characterisation of the Polymer Formed

This paper focuses on the conversion of 1,2-dichloroethane (EDC) using non-thermal plasma under reaction conditions that can decompose EDC and yield a value-added product. A cylindrical double dielectric barrier discharge system has been used to generate non-thermal plasma and quartz has been used as a dielectric. Our findings show that under non-oxidative reaction conditions employed in this study, vinyl chloride, a commercially important compound, is the major gas phase product produced. This paper also encompasses a preliminary characterisation of polymer during the reaction. Possible mechanisms for gaseous product formation and polymerisation are presented.