OICC Press Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics 2251-7235 18 6 2024 12 30 Degradation of diazinon and endosulfan pesticides using surface dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma employing Ar/H2O/H2O2 working gas 10.57647/j.jtap.2024.1806.71 EN Hamed Hadi Department of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3696-1220 Hadi Zakeri Khatir Plasma Technology Research Core, Faculty of Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3322-4428 Ebrahim Hajiebrahimi Plasma Technology Research Core, Faculty of Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8127-6038 Farshad Sohbatzadeh Department of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran  AND  Plasma Technology Research Core, Faculty of Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran Journal Article 2024 12 30 Water refinement from stable organic compounds has faced challenges in conventional approaches. Non-thermal plasma technology as an advanced oxidation process (AOP) is an eco-friendly water and wastewater treatment solution. In this study, the capability of the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma was examined to degrade diazinon and endosulfan pesticides from an aqueous solution by employing a combined gas of Ar/H2O/H2O2.  This approach introduces the synergistic effect of the DBD plasma and hydrogen peroxide oxidant for the pesticide degradation method.  This study compared the effects of Ar/H2O/H2O2 gas without plasma running, Ar plasma, and Ar/H2O/H2O2 SDBD plasma in pesticide reduction. The results demonstrated that combining Ar and H2O/H2O2 cold vapor in SDBD plasma significantly enhances pesticide degradation compared to using either method alone. While the reduction efficiency of the hydrogen peroxide oxidant was 17% and 18 % for diazinon and endosulfan, it was enhanced by the Ar SDBD to 30% and 37%, respectively after 15 minutes of indirect treatment. Moreover, introducing H2O/H2O2 vapor into the Ar SDBD plasma (Ar/H2O/H2O2 SDBD) achieved a 60% and 65% reduction in diazinon and endosulfan, respectively, after 15 minutes of treatment, highlighting its potential as a sustainable and efficient method for pesticide removal from water. The energy yield ( ) as a measure of the efficiencies of the removal of the diazinon and endosulfan pesticides are and , respectively for Ar/H2O/H2O2 SDBD.  The study also found that running frequency, dielectric thickness, treatment time, and working voltage can significantly affect the degradation efficiency. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as O3, H2O2, OH*, aquas electrons, and other plasma species are responsible for the degradation of these pesticides. This research generally indicates the high potential of the Ar/H2O/H2O2 SDBD plasma as an alternative approach for rapidly reducing agriculture activity-related chemicals in water.