Modification of the materials based on protein fibers in a low-pressure high-frequency plasma flow

Abstract

The effect of low-pressure high-frequency (HF) plasma treatment on the structure of the materials formed by bundles of natural protein (collagen) fibers is considered. The outer surface of the material is being affected by a constant flow of ions and a pulse-periodic flow of electrons. During this procedure the electrons flow at opposite sides of the sample in antiphase. This leads to that an alternating electric field is created, which intensity is estimated approximately at 105 V/m, inside the material. As a result, in the capillaries and pores, a breakdown occurs and charged particles are forming during this process. The recombination of these particles releases an energy of 15.76 eV on the surface of pores and capillaries, which is transferring to the surface molecules of the protein, which leads to the bulk modification of the material based on protein fibers. Such volumetric processing provides an effective modification of structural elements, allowing you to significantly improve the quality of liquid treatments in the production of collagen-containing materials and their properties in general.