Plasma chemistry as a tool for green chemistry, environmental analysis andwaste management

The applications of plasma chemistry to environmental problems and to green chemistry are emerging fields that offer unique opportunities for advancem ent. There has been substantial progress in the application of plasmas to a nalytical diagnostics and to waste reduction and waste management. This rev iew discusses the chemistry and physics necessary to a basic understanding of plasmas, something that has been missing from recent technical reviews. The current status of plasmas in environmental chemistry is summarized and emerging areas of application for plasmas are delineated. Plasmas are defin ed and discussed in terms of their properties that make them useful for env ironmental chemistry. Information is drawn from diverse fields to illustrat e the potential applications of plasmas in analysis, materials modification s and hazardous waste treatments, (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.