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Title: Treatment of enterococcus faecalis bacteria by a helium atmospheric cold plasma brush with oxygen addition

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4732135· OSTI ID:22092046
; ; ; ;  [1]; ; ;  [2];  [1]
  1. Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, 100190 Beijing (China)
  2. Department of Oral Biology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, 100080 Beijing (China)

An atmospheric cold plasma brush suitable for large area and low-temperature plasma-based sterilization is designed. Results demonstrate that the He/O{sub 2} plasma more effectively kills Enterococcus faecalis than the pure He plasma. In addition, the sterilization efficiency values of the He/O{sub 2} plasma depend on the oxygen fraction in Helium gas. The atmospheric cold plasma brush using a proper ratio of He/O{sub 2} (2.5%) reaches the optimum sterilization efficiency. After plasma treatment, the cell structure and morphology changes can be observed by the scanning electron microscopy. Optical emission measurements indicate that reactive species such as O and OH play a significant role in the sterilization process.

OSTI ID:
22092046
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 112, Issue 1; Other Information: (c) 2012 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English