Mechanisms of Heptane Degradation and Product Formation in Microwave Discharge

Abstract

A mechanism for the degradation of n-heptane and the formation of the products of its plasma-chemical transformation by microwave discharge treatment has been proposed. Chemical reactions resulting in reactive species, namely free radicals that form lower hydrocarbons and polyaromatic structures are presented. The product composition of the gas, liquid, and solid phases has been studied using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of the precipitate obtained by evaporation of the liquid phase after the treatment of n-heptane.