Air spark-like plasma source for antimicrobial NO sub(x) generation

We demonstrate and analyse the generation of nitrogen oxides and their antimicrobial efficacy using atmospheric air spark-like plasmas. Spark-like discharges in air in a 1L confined volume are shown to generate NO* at an initial rate of about 1.5 x 10 super(16) NO sub(x) molecules/J dissipated in th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of physics. D, Applied physics Applied physics, 2014-02, Vol.47 (50), p.505202-1-505202-10
Main Authors: Pavlovich, M J, Ono, T, Galleher, C, Curtis, B, Clark, D S, Machala, Z, Graves, D B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antiinfectives and antibacterials
Dissipation
Dissolution
Effectiveness
Escherichia coli
Nitrogen dioxide
Nitrogen oxides
Plasma (physics)
Sterilization
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Summary:We demonstrate and analyse the generation of nitrogen oxides and their antimicrobial efficacy using atmospheric air spark-like plasmas. Spark-like discharges in air in a 1L confined volume are shown to generate NO* at an initial rate of about 1.5 x 10 super(16) NO sub(x) molecules/J dissipated in the plasma. Such a discharge operating in this confined volume generates on the order of 6000 ppm NO sub(x) in 10 min. Around 90% of the NO sub(x) is in the form of NO sub(2) after several minutes of operation in the confined volume, suggesting that NO sub(2) is the dominant antimicrobial component. The strong antimicrobial action of the NO sub(x) mixture after several minutes of plasma operation is demonstrated by measuring rates of E. coli disinfection on surfaces and in water exposed to the NO sub(x) mixture. Some possible applications of plasma generation of NO sub(x) (perhaps followed by dissolution in water) include disinfection of surfaces, skin or wound antisepsis, and sterilization of medical instruments at or near room temperature.
ISSN:0022-3727
1361-6463
DOI:10.1088/0022-3727/47/50/505202