Since photocatalysts are activated by lights of UV wavelengths, plasma is alternatively used as a light source for a photocatalytic reactor. Light intensity generated by plasma is proportional to the surface area of catalytic material, and this, in many practical applications, is prescribed by the geometry of a plasma generator. Thus, it is crucial to increase the surface area far sufficient light intensity for photocatalytic reaction. For example, in a pack-bed type reactor, multitudes of beads are used as a substrate in order to increase the surface area. Honeycomb monolith type substrate, which has very good surface area to volume ratio, has been difficult to apply plasma as a light source due to the fact that light penetration depth through the honeycomb monolith was too short to cover sufficient area, thus resulting in poor intensity for photocatalytic reaction. In this study, nonthermal plasma generation through a photocatalytic reactor of honeycomb monolith substrate is investigated to lengthen this short penetration depth. The ceramic honeycomb monolith substrate used in this study has the same length as a three way catalyst used fur automotive applications, and it is shown that sufficient light intensity for photocatalytic reaction can also be obtained with honeycomb monolith type reactor.
