Theoretical–Computational Study of Atmospheric DBD Plasma and Its Utility for Nanoscale Biocompatible Plasmonic Coating

Abstract

In this study, time-dependent, one-dimensional modeling of a surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) device, driven by a sinusoidal voltage of amplitude 1–3 kV at 20 kHz, in argon is described. An SDBD device with two Cu-stripe electrodes, covered by the quartz dielectric and with the discharge gap of 20 × 10−3 m, was assumed, and the time-dependent, one-dimensional discharge parameters were simulated versus time across the plasma gap. The plasma device simulated in the given arrangement was constructed and used for biocompatible antibacterial/antimicrobial coating of plasmonic particle aerosol and compared with the coating strategy of the DBD plasma jet. Simulation results showed discharge consists of an electrical breakdown, occurring in each half-cycle of the AC voltage with an electron density of 1.4 × 1010 cm−3 and electric field strength of 4.5 × 105 Vm−1. With SDBD, the surface coating comprises spatially distributed particles of mean size 29 (11) nm, while with argon plasma jet, the nanoparticles are aggregated in clusters that are three times larger in size. Both coatings are crystalline and exhibit plasmonic features in the visible spectral region. It is expected that the particle aerosols are collected under the ionic wind, induced by the plasma electric fields, and it is assumed that this follows the dominant charging mechanisms of ions diffusion. The cold plasma strategy is appealing in a sense; it opens new venues at the nanoscale to deal with biomedical and surgical devices in a flexible processing environment.

Processing laser ablated plasmonic nanoparticle aerosols with nonthermal dielectric barrier discharge jets of argon and helium and plasma induced effects

“…For the fraternity of scientists and engineers, DBDs are offering several potential solutions to everyday problems with the freedom of working in an open and flexible workplace 1 – 5 . It is now recognised a platform technology, replacing and/or integrating with the production stages in the growing medicine and healthcare, surface activation and modification, biomedical and surgical, textiles, sterilized food processing and packaging, smart agriculture, clean energy, and environmental remediation, ground-breaking materials, microfabrication, and many more 2 – 23 . From plasma-created high-purity nanocrystals to plasma-driven ultraviolet lights, it has great promise for active plasmonic nanostructures, active surfaces covered with graphene, beyond graphene 2D-functional materials, and recently in COVID-19 inactivation 2 , 6 , 14 , 23 – 26 .…”

“…For these plasmas, , , and a typical low-degree of ionisation 2 , 6 . The outflowing plasma jets from the discharge are electrically driven phenomena; comprising of small plasma bullets (ionisation wavefronts), propagating at speeds of 10 4 –10 7 ms −1 2 , 23 , 25 . Such plasma schemes provide efficient ways to generate distantly transferred and adjustable plasma volumes of high charge density and are well described by comprehensive review reports 2 , 6 , 27 , 28 .…”

“…The plasma jets excited in atomic argon and helium are more frequently used to achieve energy-intensive and effective gas-phase chemistry without the need for elevated gas temperature, and transporting energetic charge species to the target site 2 , 6 . Typically, these jets are characterized by electron charge density (n e ) ≤ 10 13 cm −3 and electron temperature (T e ) ⁓ 0.5–10 eV 2 , 6 , 23 , 25 . Notably, a helium jet can be launched either way by setting the live electrode (attached to the ac high-voltage terminal) upstream and the ground electrode downstream of the gas feed tube or mutually swapping the two electrodes.…”

“…It is now recognised a platform technology, replacing and/or integrating with the production stages in the growing medicine and healthcare, surface activation and modification, biomedical and surgical, textiles, sterilized food processing and packaging, smart agriculture, clean energy, and environmental remediation, ground-breaking materials, microfabrication, and many more . From plasma-created high-purity nanocrystals to plasma-driven ultraviolet lights, it has great promise for active plasmonic nanostructures, active surfaces covered with graphene, beyond graphene 2D-functional materials, and recently in COVID-19 inactivation 2,6,14,[23][24][25][26] .Typical DBD jets are generated in inert or reactive gases and/or a combination of both under a highvoltage ac or pulsating-dc at frequencies of Hz to MHz [2][3][4][5][6]23,25 . At least one of the electrodes is shielded with a dielectric material to limit the discharge current and thermal instabilities.…”

“…Typical DBD jets are generated in inert or reactive gases and/or a combination of both under a highvoltage ac or pulsating-dc at frequencies of Hz to MHz [2][3][4][5][6]23,25 . At least one of the electrodes is shielded with a dielectric material to limit the discharge current and thermal instabilities.…”