1. Non-thermal plasma and air treatment

1.1 Definition of a non-thermal plasma

The term "plasma" refers to the interactions between electrons, ions and neutral species in an ionized gas. The term was introduced by Langmuir to describe the effects of an electrical discharge in a gas. Plasma is said to be "non-thermal", or "cold", if the average temperature of the gas remains close to the initial temperature of the gas (temperature before the plasma is triggered) and close to the ambient temperature. In practice, we can speak of "non-thermal plasma" down to a few hundred degrees Celsius, if the thermal effect of the plasma remains modest.

Plasma formation results from a transfer of kinetic energy to the gas, thanks to an intense electric field that strongly accelerates the ionized species naturally...