Gliding discharge-induced oxidation of a toxic alkaloid.

The gliding discharge is a quenched plasma source suitable for the plasma treatments of liquids since it is operated in quasi-normal T and P conditions. Discharges in wet air provide a flow of strongly oxidizing radicals, e.g., NO and HO, able to oxidize and mineralize many organic pollutants in aqueous solution. The present paper reports on the destruction of nicotine, a toxic alkaloid from tobacco used as insecticide. Mineralization was monitored by total organic carbon (TOC) analysis and obeyed an overall first order kinetics mechanism. Carbon dioxide formation was followed by specific reactive Dräger tubes. The influence of the airflow rate was considered.