Flexible atmospheric brush-like microplasma jet source with needle-shaped protrusion electrode for internal surface treatment

Abstract

In this paper, a flexible plasma jet source with newly designed needle-shaped protrusion (NSP) electrode capable of producing flexible atmospheric brush-like microplasma jet (FBµPJ) was developed and its application for internal surface treatment was investigated. The generator could maintain flexibility while possessing a certain degree of rigidity. Simulation and experimental results indicate that FBµPJ with NSP electrode was more efficient in generating the brush-like microplasma jets compared to conventional wire electrodes. The electrical characteristics showed that the discharge of this novel plasma source was a typical dielectric barrier discharge, and diverse oxygen-containing reactive species favorable for material surface treatment were observed. The internal surface of the silicone tube would get rougher and grafted with polar oxygen-containing functional groups after plasma treatment, and the inner surface can be transformed from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. Finally, the interfacial adhesion of the silicone tubes can be effectively enhanced by FBµPJ.