Catalytic effect of plasma in lowering the reduction temperature of $Fe_{2}O_{3}$.

Atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) generates highly reactive species that are useful for surface activations. We demonstrate a fast regeneration of iron oxides, that are popular catalysts in various industrial processes, using microwave-driven argon APP under ambient condition. The surface treatment of hematite powder by the APP with a small portion of hydrogen (0.5%) lowers the oxide's reduction temperature. A near-infrared laser is used for localized heating to control the surface temperature. Controlled experiments without plasma confirm the catalytic effect of the plasma. Raman, XRD, SEM, and XPS analyses show that the plasma treatment changed the chemical state of the hematite to that of magnetite without sintering.