Proposing an Affordable Plasma Device for Polymer Surface Modification and Microbial Inactivation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Plasma Physics

Background:

• Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma offers versatile surface modification capabilities.
• Existing plasma devices can be expensive and complex, limiting accessibility.
• Atmospheric pressure plasma offers advantages in terms of operational simplicity and cost.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize an affordable, 3D-printed parallel-plate DBD plasma device.
• To evaluate the device's efficacy in surface modification of polyethylene.
• To assess the antimicrobial potential against common pathogens and its effect on mammalian cell viability.

Main Methods:

• A parallel-plate DBD plasma device was designed using 3D printing with a metallic mesh electrode.
• The device was powered by a modified high-voltage supply and operated using atmospheric air.
• Surface elemental composition of treated polyethylene was analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
• Antimicrobial efficacy was tested against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus.
• Vero cell viability was assessed to determine biocompatibility.

Main Results:

• Plasma treatment of polyethylene for 15 minutes resulted in oxygen incorporation (approx. 15 at%) and a decrease in carbon content (to approx. 80 at%).
• Over 99% reduction in microbial load for both Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus was achieved within 1 to 10 minutes of exposure.
• Vero cell viability remained high (91-96%) across tested exposure times, indicating good biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D-printed DBD plasma device is an affordable and effective tool for material surface modification.
• The device demonstrates significant antimicrobial potential against relevant pathogens.
• Its high biocompatibility and cost-effectiveness suggest broad applicability in infection control and material science.