A low power flexible dielectric barrier discharge disinfects surfaces and improves the action of hydrogen peroxide

TL;DR

This study presents a low power, flexible dielectric barrier discharge device that, when combined with hydrogen peroxide, significantly enhances surface disinfection efficiency, offering a promising new approach for accessible sterilization.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel flexible DBD plasma device that synergistically improves bacterial decontamination when used with hydrogen peroxide, outperforming individual treatments.

Findings

Achieved >6log10 bacterial reduction in 90 seconds

Synergistic effect of plasma and hydrogen peroxide enhances disinfection

Device operates at low power density (~0.5 W/cm^2) in ambient air

Abstract

There is an urgent need for disinfection and sterilization devices accessible to the public that can be fulfilled by innovative strategies for using cold atmospheric pressure plasmas. Here we explore and evaluate an approach combining a flexible printed circuit design of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) with an environmentally safe chemical reagent for surface decontamination from bacterial contaminants. The device operates in ambient air without any additional gas flow at a power density of about 0.5 W/cm^2. Using a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution as a model reagent we demonstrate improved reduction in the bacterial load of a surface contaminant of >6log10 in 90 seconds, about 3log10 and 2log10 faster compared to hydrogen peroxide alone and the flexible DBD alone, respectively, for the same treatment time. The synergistic action of the plasma bioactive properties and hydrogen peroxide result in a dramatic improvement of surface disinfection. This opens new possibilities for using the low power flexible DBD plasma sources for surface disinfection and decontamination.