Mechanistic aspects of atomization processes in microwave-induced plasma afterglows

Abstract

Some mechanistic aspects of the atomization processes in the afterglow of microwave-induced plasmas are reconsidered. Besides lattice atomization, where only heterogeneous interactions between radicals and the solid occur, a pure gas-phase atomization process also has to be taken into account. The latter mechanism becomes dominant with the chlorides or organic salts of transition metals.

The role of charged species in the overall atomization process is found to be negligible, indicating that an electrochemical mechanism is not important in most cases.