Acinetobacter Baumannii Sterilization Using DC Corona Discharge

Abstract

In this work, a corona discharge system with array electrode was built for the rapid sterilization of a resistant pathogen (Acinetobacter baumannii). The electrical parameters, discharge pattern, ozone generation, and optic emission spectra were used to characterize the corona plasma. The discharge current and power of positive corona were larger than those of negative at the same applied voltage. The G-value of ozone generation of positive corona was about 7.31 times larger than that of negative corona, suggesting that the positive corona has higher energy efficiency. The {A}. baumannii sterilization efficiency of corona plasma was much higher than that of using ozone (at the same ozone concentration level). As for negative corona, 99.99% A. baumannii sterilization efficiency was achieved within 9-min treatment with 50-ppm ozone produced. Moreover, the A. baumannii sterilization efficiency of positive corona was higher than that of negative corona at the same applied voltage or discharge power, confirming that the energy efficiency of sterilization of positive corona was higher than that of negative corona. The optic emission spectra suggested that active species such as excited molecules, ions, and radicals were generated in the corona discharge. The as-produced active species played important roles in the sterilization process.