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Plasma-driven decentralized production of essential chemicals

Nature Catalysis volume 8, pages 2–7 (2025)Cite this article

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Non-thermal plasma offers a remarkable alternative to traditional catalysis methods, meeting the rising demands for essential chemicals like fertilizers and fuels. This Comment explores how this approach can support sustainability goals by promoting economic growth, and decentralizing chemical production processes.

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Fig. 1: Production of essential chemicals.
Fig. 2: Ammonia decarbonization via plasma catalysis.
Fig. 3: Methanol selectivity for thermal and plasma routes using selected oxidants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Arkansas, Bell Engineering Center, Fayetteville, AR, USA

    Maria L. Carreon

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  1. Maria L. Carreon
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Correspondence to Maria L. Carreon.

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The author declares no competing interests.

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Nature Catalysis thanks Xiaolei Fan and Richard van de Sanden for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

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Source Data Fig. 3

Table containing data employed to build Figure 3

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Carreon, M.L. Plasma-driven decentralized production of essential chemicals. Nat Catal 8, 2–7 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-024-01283-5

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