Packed bed DBD discharge experiments in admixtures of N2 and CH4

The physical, chemical and electrical properties of a coaxial Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) fedbyvarious mixtures of N 2and CH 4at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature has been studied. FTIR spectral measurements of the products formed in the discharge have shown that the main chemical products are C 2H 2, HCN and C 2H 6produced by dissociation of CH 4, with small but significant traces of NH 3.such a chemical transformation may provide some insight into the chemical processes prevalent in the atmosphere of Titan. During operation of the discharge a solid brown-yellowish deposit was formed on the central rod electrode and the dielectric pellets. Such a deposit is similar to that observed in other N 2:CH 4discharges and is believed to be an analogue of the aerosol and dust observed in Titan's atmosphere being composed of chemical species commonly known as 'tholins'.