INVESTIGATIONS ON COMPOSITE ELECTRODES DEVELOPED DUE TO SEED ADSORPTION FROM COMBUSTION PLASMA

Metallic electrodes are used for current conduction in potassium-seede d thermal plasma. Investigations are made on composite electrode surfa ces formed due to the adsorption of seed together with the combustion product species. In the metallic copper or stainless steel electrodes used for the experiments, current conduction is restricted to the diff usive mode of conduction. The electrode surfaces are investigated by m eans of scanning electron microscopic and Auger electron spectroscopic techniques. Differential thermal analysis of the material adsorbed on the electrodes indicates that potassium carbonate is the main constit uent of the adsorbate.