Effect of ZnO Catalyst on the Degradation of SF6 by DBD Plasma

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) is widely used in gas-insulated equipment due to its excellent electrical properties. However, SF₆ is a potent greenhouse gas, and with the implementation of the "dual carbon" strategy, reducing SF₆ emissions has become imperative. This paper analyzes the interaction between SF₆ and the ZnO surface through simulation calculations and studies the effects of ZnO-filled systems on SF₆ degradation by DBD through experiments. The results demonstrate that the charge transfer of individual fluorine atoms is relatively weak, with no significant charge transfer occurring before and after the adsorption of each fluorine atom. Furthermore, after adsorption on the ZnO surface, the SF₆ molecule does not undergo noticeable deformation, indicating that the adsorption of SF₆ on the ZnO surface is physical adsorption. Under the conditions of a 2% SF₆ concentration, a gas flow rate of 150 mL/min, and an input power of 90 W, the SF₆ degradation rate and equivalent capacitance with ZnO filling were found to be 96.6% and 79.31 pF, respectively. At an input power of 80W, the energy yield reached a maximum value of 12.41 g/kWh, and the main decomposition products of SF₆ were SO₂, SO₂F₂, and SOF₂. This study provides a theoretical basis for the efficient degradation and harmless treatment of SF₆.