Division of Environmental Physics - User: anka
Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University Bratislava

Transient spark discharge generated in various N₂/O₂ gas mixtures: Reactive species in the gas and water and their antibacterial effects

Kučerová K., Machala Z., Hensel K.
Plasma Chem. Plasma Process. 40 (3), 749–773 (2020)

download  

Abstract:

Atmospheric pressure air plasma discharges generate potential antimicrobial agents, such as nitrogen oxides and ozone. Generation of nitrogen oxides was studied in a DC-driven self-pulsing (1-10 kHz) transient spark (TS) discharge. The precursors of NOx production and the TS characteristics were studied by nanosecond time-resolved optical diagnostics: a photomultiplier module and a spectrometer coupled with fast intensified camera. Thanks to the short (~10-100 ns) high current (>1 A) spark current pulses, highly reactive non-equilibrium plasma is generated. Ozone was not detectable in the TS, probably due to higher gas temperature after the short spark current pulses, but the NOx production rate of ~7×1016 molecules/J was achieved. The NO2/NO ratio decreased with increasing TS repetition frequency, which is related to the complex frequency-dependent discharge properties and thus changing NO2/NO generating mechanisms. Further optimization of NO2 and NO production to improve the biomedical and antimicrobial effects is possible by modifying the electric circuit generating the TS discharge.

Citations:

1.)	Y.D. Korolev, I.A. Shemyakin, V.S. Kasyanov, V. G. Geyman, N. V. Landl, A. V. Bolotov: Transient processes during an initial stage of breakdown in saline solution, J. Appl. Phys. 129, 043304 (2021), citation no. 17, INDEX (2021) -------------
2.)	Y-M. Zhao, A. Patange, D-W. Sun, B. Tiwari: Plasma-activated water: Physicochemical properties, microbial inactivation mechanisms, factors influencing antimicrobial effectiveness, and applications in the food industry, Compr. Rev. Food. Sci. Food Safety 19(6), 3951-3979 (2020), citation Kucerova, WoS (2020) -------------
3.)	C. Pattyn, N. Maira, A. Remy, N. C. Roy, D. Petitjean, F. Reniers: Potential of N2/O2 Atmospheric Pressure Needle-Water DC Microplasmas for nitrogen fixation: nitrite-free synthesis of nitrates, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 22 (42) 24801-24812, citation no. 30, INDEX (2020) -------------
4.)	J. Pawłat, P. Terebun, M. Kwiatkowski, K. Wolny-Koładka: Possibility of Humid Municipal Wastes Hygienisation Using Gliding Arc Plasma Reactor, Water 13, 194 (2021), citation no. 54, INDEX (2020) -------------