Atmospheric-pressure plasmas for NOx production: Short review on current status

Electricity-based chemical conversion is now recognized as a crucial technology for strengthening renewable energy in the pursuit of carbon neutrality. Atmospheric pressure plasmas have potential for nitrogen fixation when coupled with renewable energy, due to their ease of startup and shutdown, as well as their ability to adapt quickly to changing operating parameters. This short review highlights the plasma-based NOx formation, with a particular focus on advancements in NOx yield and energy cost over the past five years. Warm plasmas have demonstrated greater effectiveness than nonthermal plasmas in NOx production. Recent improvements in NOx yield and energy efficiency are discussed, along with a future outlook on their potential in power-to-X applications.