Application Of Plasma Technology Research Articles

Machine learning to guide the use of plasma technology for antibiotic degradation

Antibiotics are misused and discharged into environmental water, posing a constant potential threat to the ecosystem. Utilising plasma’s physical and chemical effects to remove antibiotics has emerged as a promising wastewater treatment technology. However, the complexity and high cost of reactor configurations represent significant limitations to the practical application of this technology. Furthermore, evaluating the degradation efficiency of antibiotics necessitates using costly and sophisticated testing instruments, coupled with time-consuming and labour-intensive experiments. The present study developed a generalised model using machine learning algorithms to predict the removal efficiency of antibiotics by a plasma system. Of the eight machine learning algorithms constructed, the ensemble model XGBoost exhibited the highest prediction accuracy, as indicated by a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.943. This correlation indicates a strong relationship between the predicted removal rates and the experimental values. Moreover, the accuracy of the prediction was enhanced through the utilisation of a multi-model stacking approach. A further quantitative assessment of the key factors affecting the efficiency of the plasma process, and their synergistic effects, is provided by the interpretable analysis of the model’s behaviour. It is anticipated that the results will facilitate the design of efficient plasma systems, reduce the need for extensive experimental screening, and improve practical applications in the removal of antibiotic contamination. This provides an informative view of the applications of plasma technology, opening the way for new environmental research questions.

Avoiding dust contamination by near-plasma chemical surface engineering

Dust contamination is a frequent problem when processing materials at the nanoscale by plasma technology. Various approaches have thus been applied to protect samples, however, requiring to adjust plasma properties which also imposes limitations on the process window. We therefore propose near-plasma chemical (NPC) surface engineering as a way to avoid dust contamination during and after plasma operation without altering the plasma environment by simply locating a polymeric mesh above the samples in the plasma sheath. Because of the electric potential acquired by the mesh, heavy charged particles cannot pass the open area of the mesh, avoiding their contact with the samples positioned below. Samples fabricated by NPC surface engineering are dust-free independently on the size or the origin of the powder nanoparticles. This neat approach can support many high-precision, dust-free applications of plasma technology on an industrial scale.

Mechanism of action of plasma-activated water on biomacromolecules in Salmonella Enteritidis: Biological effect, computer simulation, and transcriptomics-based analysis

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) is one of the most important causes of foodborne illness in the food industry. In this work, plasma-activated water (PAW) generated from the plasma jet was employed to reduce S. Enteritidis contamination. The antibacterial mechanism of PAW was revealed from biological changes, molecular docking, and transcriptomics. Results revealed that the addition of lactic acid could improve the antibacterial activity and efficiency of PAW, and confirmed the existence and antibacterial activity of free radicals (OH, 1O2, and NO) in PAW. Meanwhile, PAW treatment caused damage to characteristic functional groups of biomolecules, and led to the oxidation of lipids and degradation of DNA. Molecular docking results further suggested that the reactive species could interact with amino acid residues around key binding sites through hydrogen bonding, affecting the stability of structures. Furthermore, the transcriptomics results indicated that PAW is primarily active on bacterial proteins and to a lesser extent on membrane lipids and DNA. Overall, the action mechanism of PAW on biomacromolecules is comprehensively analyzed in this work, and it provides a theoretical basis for the broad application of plasma technology.

Potential Applications of Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) Technologies to Improve the Phytochemical Content of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.

Potential Applications of Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) Technologies to Improve the Phytochemical Content of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.

Applications of Plasma Technologies in Recycling Processes.

Plasmas are reactive ionised gases, which enable the creation of unique reaction fields. This allows plasmas to be widely used for a variety of chemical processes for materials, recycling among others. Because of the increase in urgency to find more sustainable methods of waste management, plasmas have been enthusiastically applied to recycling processes. This review presents recent developments of plasma technologies for recycling linked to economical models of circular economy and waste management hierarchies, exemplifying the thermal decomposition of organic components or substances, the recovery of inorganic materials like metals, the treatment of paper, wind turbine waste, and electronic waste. It is discovered that thermal plasmas are most applicable to thermal processes, whereas nonthermal plasmas are often applied in different contexts which utilise their chemical selectivity. Most applications of plasmas in recycling are successful, but there is room for advancements in applications. Additionally, further perspectives are discussed.

Application of Cold Plasma Technology on the Postharvest Preservation of In-Packaged Fresh Fruit and Vegetables: Recent Challenges and Development

AbstractCold plasma, an emerging and versatile non-thermal technology, has gained substantial attention, particularly in the domain of surface modification, specifically within the context of packaging films. Recent developments in cold plasma technology have unveiled its potential to improve various aspects of packaged films, including chemical composition, physical attributes, structural characteristics, and overall functionality. These enhancements encompass surface roughness, contact angles, flexibility, thermal stability, barrier properties, and antimicrobial efficacy. The imperative for the advancement and expansion of decay-control technologies is crucial, not only for preserving the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables but also for mitigating biological risks throughout postharvest, processing, and storage. This, in turn, extends the shelf life of these products. This review aims to comprehensively outline the various systems utilized in in-package cold plasma (CP) treatments and their interactions with key parameters that significantly influence the efficacy of the process on fruits and vegetables. In this order, the review furnishes a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms through which cold plasma impacts the quality characteristics of diverse fruits and vegetables. The review paper examines the potential of cold plasma technology in inhibiting spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms, deactivating enzymes, and altering the physical, mechanical, and chemical characteristics of fresh fruits and vegetables during packaging. Furthermore, It deals with the effect of cold plasma technology on increasing the quality and characteristics of edible films, alongside its utilization as an antimicrobial agent in food packaging.

A review of cold plasma for catalyst synthesis and modification

Cold plasma has been extensively studied and developed in the field of energy storage and conversion, with a focus on its ability to assist in catalyst synthesis, surface modification, the introduction of heteroatoms, the generation of defects and vacancies, the improvement of catalyst dispersion, and the reduction of particle size. In contrast to conventional calcination and chemical methods, the energy from cold plasma can be transferred directly to the catalyst and carrier during the treatment process, which can improve the interaction between the loaded catalyst and carrier by changing the internal structure and surface morphology of the catalyst. Therefore, these properties make cold plasma quite green, safe, and efficient for catalyst synthesis and modification. In this paper, the characteristics and applications of various cold plasma technologies, as well as the synergistic treatment of cold plasma technology with thermodynamic principles on catalysts, are analyzed. Based on current research progress, this paper provides a summary and outlook on the synthesis and modification of catalysts using cold plasma.

Application of low-temperature plasma technology in the field of agriculture

The low-temperature plasma crop seed treatment technology has opened up a new way for the application of plasma in crops, creating a new path for high and stable yield of crops, and enriching agricultural yield increasing technology. This article briefly describes the innovative development of low-temperature plasma seed treatment technology, introduces the series of applications of plasma technology in crop seeds, as well as the biological effects and activation mechanisms of plasma. It also looks forward to the development and application prospects of plasma seed treatment technology.

Degradation performance and mechanism of microcystins in aquaculture water using low-temperature plasma technology

The eutrophication of aquaculture water bodies seriously restricts the healthy development of the aquaculture industry. Among them, microcystins are particularly harmful. Therefore, the development of technologies for degrading microcystins is of great significance for maintaining the healthy development of the aquaculture industry. The feasibility and mechanism of removing microcystins-LR by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma were studied. DBD discharge power of 49.6 W and a treatment time of 40 min were selected as the more suitable DBD parameters, resulting in microcystin-LR removal efficiency of 90.4%. Meanwhile, the effects of initial microcystin-LR concentration, initial pH value, turbidity, anions on the degradation effect of microcystin-LR were investigated. The removal efficiency of microcystin-LR decreased with the increase of initial microcystin-LR concentration and turbidity. The degradation efficiency of microcystin-LR at pH 4.5 and 6.5 is significantly higher than that at pH 8.5 and 3.5. HCO3− can inhibit the removal efficiency of microcystin-LR. Furthermore, five intermediates products (m/z = 1029.5, 835.3, 829.3, 815.4, 642.1) were identified in this study, and the toxicity analysis of these degradation intermediates indicated that DBD treatment can reduce the toxicity of microcystin-LR. e－aq, •OH, H2O2, and O3 have been shown to play a major role in the degradation of microcystin-LR, and the contribution ranking of these active species is e－aq > •OH > H2O2 > O3. The application of DBD plasma technology in microcystin-LR removal and detoxification has certain development potential.

Application of Argon Plasma Technology for the Synthesis of Anti-Infective Copper Nanoparticles.

The synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) was accomplished by using a rapid, green, and versatile argon plasma reduction method that involves solvent extraction. With this method, a plasma-solid state interaction forms and CuNPs can be synthesized from copper(II) sulfate using a low-pressure, low-temperature argon plasma. Characterization studies of the CuNPs revealed that when a metal precursor is treated under optimal experimental conditions of 80 W of argon plasma for 300 s, brown CuNPs are synthesized. However, when those same brown CuNPs are placed in Milli-Q water for a period of 10 days, oxidation occurs and green CuNPs are formed. Confirmation of the chemical identity of the CuNPs was performed by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results reveal that the brown CuNPs are predominantly Cu0 or what we refer to as CuNPs, while the green CuNPs are a mixture of Cu0 and Cu(OH)2 NPs. Upon further characterization of both brown and green CuNPs with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the results depict brown CuNPs with a rod-like shape and approximate dimensions of 40 nm × 160 nm, while the green CuNPs were smaller in size, with dimensions of 40-80 nm, and more of a round shape. When testing the antibacterial activity of both brown and green CuNPs, our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of both CuNPs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria at a concentration of 17 μg/mL. The inactivation of S. aureus and E. coli 7-day-old biofilms required CuNP concentrations of 99 μg/mL. SEM images of treated 7-day-old S. aureus and E. coli biofilms depict cell membranes that are completely damaged, suggesting a physical killing mechanism. In addition, when the same concentration of CuNPs used to inactivate biofilms were tested with human fibroblasts, both brown and green CuNPs were found to be biocompatible.

Feasibility and mechanism of removing Microcystis aeruginosa and degrading microcystin-LR by dielectric barrier discharge plasma

Harmful cyanobacterial bloom is one of the serious environmental problems worldwide. Microcystis aeruginosa is a representative harmful alga in cyanobacteria bloom. It is of great significance to develop new technologies for the removal of Microcystis aeruginosa and microcystins. The feasibility and mechanism of removing microcystis aeruginosa and degrading microcystins by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma were studied. The suitable DBD parameters obtained in this study are DBD (41.5 W, 40 min) and DBD (41.5 W, 50 min), resulting in algae removal efficiency of 77.4% and 80.4%, respectively; scanning electron microscope and LIVE-DEATH analysis demonstrate that DBD treatment can disrupt cell structure and lead to cell death; analysis of elemental composition and chemical state indicated that there are traces of oxidation of organic nitrogen and organic carbon in microcystis aeruginosa; further intracellular ROS concentration and antioxidant enzyme activity analysis confirm that DBD damage microcystis aeruginosa through oxidation. Meanwhile, DBD can effectively degrade the microcystin-LR released after cell lysis, the extracellular microcystin-LR concentration in the DBD (41.5 W) group decreased by 88.7% at 60 min compared to the highest concentration at 20 min; further toxicity analysis of degradation intermediates indicated that DBD can reduce the toxicity of microcystin-LR. The contribution of active substances to the inactivation of microcystis aeruginosa is eaq− >•OH > H2O2 > O3 > 1O2 >•O2− >ONOO−, while on the degradation of microcystin-LR is eaq− >•OH > H2O2 > O3 >•O2− >1O2 > ONOO−. The application of DBD plasma technology in microcystis aeruginosa algae removal and detoxification has certain prospects for promotion and application.

The application of cold atmospheric plasma technology in the brain: The potential role of reactive species in neuroprotection effects of plasma

The application of cold atmospheric plasma technology in the brain: The potential role of reactive species in neuroprotection effects of plasma

Plasma Technology Applications in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Systems

AbstractFuel cells have become a prominent research focus in the realm of clean energy, owing to their attributes of environmental sustainability, high efficiency, and renewable potential. The catalytic activity of electrode materials and the characteristics of proton exchange membranes are considered pivotal determinants of fuel cell performance. Plasma is abundant in high‐energy electrons and active species, proven to be a rapid, facile, and green approach for the preparation and treatment of catalytic materials and polymers. This review presents recent applications of plasma technology in proton exchange membrane fuel cells across four key dimensions: cathodes, anodes, proton exchange membranes, and process enhancement, including the preparation and treatment of noble metal catalysts, non‐noble metal catalysts, non‐metal catalysts, and polymer membranes. Furthermore, critical issues of plasma technology applied in PEMFCs were also discussed.

The application of plasma technology for the preparation of supercapacitor electrode materials.

With the rapidly growing demand for clean energy and energy interconnection, there is an urgent need for rapid and high-capacity energy storage technologies to realize large-scale energy storage, transfer energy, and establish the energy internet. Supercapacitors, which have advantages such as high specific capacitance, fast charging and discharging rates, and long cycle lifetimes, are being widely used in electric vehicles, information technology, aerospace, and other fields. The performance of supercapacitors is crucially dependent on electrode materials. These can be categorized into electric double-layer capacitors and pseudocapacitors, primarily made from carbon and transition metal oxides, respectively. However, effectively monitoring the physicochemical properties of electrode materials during preparation and processing is challenging, which limits the improvement of supercapacitors' performance. Plasma materials preparation technology can effectively affect the materials preparation processing by energetic electrons, ions, free radicals, and multiple effects in plasma, which are easily manipulated by operation parameters. Therefore, plasma material preparation technology is considered a promising method to precisely monitor the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of energy storage materials and has been widely studied. This paper provides an overview of plasma materials preparation mechanisms, and details of the plasma technology application in the preparation of transition metal hybrids, carbon, and composite electrode materials, as well as a comparison with traditional methods. In conclusion, the advantages, challenges, and research directions of plasma materials preparation technology in the field of electrode materials preparation are summarized.

Innovative Application of Cold Plasma Technology in Meat and Its Products.

The growing demand for sustainable food production and the rising consumer preference for fresh, healthy, and safe food products have been driving the need for innovative methods for processing and preserving food. In the meat industry, this demand has led to the development of new interventions aimed at extending the shelf life of meats and its products while maintaining their quality and nutritional value. Cold plasma has recently emerged as a subject of great interest in the meat industry due to its potential to enhance the microbiological safety of meat and its products. This review discusses the latest research on the possible application of cold plasma in the meat processing industry, considering its effects on various quality attributes and its potential for meat preservation and enhancement. In this regard, many studies have reported substantial antimicrobial efficacy of cold plasma technology in beef, pork, lamb and chicken, and their products with negligible changes in their physicochemical attributes. Further, the application of cold plasma in meat processing has shown promising results as a potential novel curing agent for cured meat products. Understanding the mechanisms of action and the interactions between cold plasma and food ingredients is crucial for further exploring the potential of this technology in the meat industry, ultimately leading to the development of safe and high-quality meat products using cold plasma technology.

Rational regulation of 3D N-doped carbon macro-architectures toward low-temperature plasma catalysis: The roles of nitrogen content and hierarchical porous structure

The application of low-temperature plasma technology with optimized catalysts in water treatment has shown a good application prospect. However, the relationships between catalytic performance and composition (N atom-doping) and structure (hierarchical porous) of catalysts is still unclear. Here, 3D N-doped carbon macro-architectures is designed by thermolysis of energetic Zn-MOF, where triazole ligand with ultra-high nitrogen content provided the possibility for effective nitrogen doping and creation of hierarchical porous structure. In the DBD system, a series of energetic MOF-derived carbon (EMC-x) catalysts with different pyrolysis temperatures (from 700 to 1000 °C) were prepared, and the composition/structure-effective relationship was investigated in detail. Degradation mechanisms and pathways were analyzed by bursting experiments, quantitative detection of H2O2 and O3, three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy (3D-EEM), LC-MS. The results confirmed that EMC-10 with high nitrogen content and hierarchical porous structure has a wide range of applications in synergistic plasma removal of TTCH from water bodies.

Understanding the mechanisms of action of atmospheric cold plasma towards the mitigation of the stress induced in molds: The case of Aspergillus chevalieri

Aspergillus chevalieri is a xerophilic/xerotolerant fungi affecting dried food products. In this study the ability of non-thermal cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) at high power density (NOx) to affect biological process inducing the stress responses of A. chevalieri species exposed for 5 min (5’CAP-NOx) and 30 min (30’CAP-NOx) were analysed at 0, 1, 6, 12 and 48-h post treatment (hpt). At 48 hpt with 30’CAP-NOx, 84% of fungal growth reduction was observed. The membrane integrity estimated by confocal investigation after carboxyfluorescein diacetate/propidium iodide staining showed the dead surface mycelium layers exposed to the treatments. Reverse transcription-quantitative real-time PCR revealed an early downregulation, at 0 hpt, followed by upregulation or recovery starting to 1 hpt, of selected key genes involved in fungal stress responses. The cellular response to stress was confirmed by mycelial glutathione accumulation in the early phase after both CAP-NOx treatments, at 0 and 1 hpt, followed by the strong glutathione reduction at 12 and 48 hpt using 30’CAP-NOx treatment. The ability of A. chevalieri to modulate metabolic profile according to treatments was underlined by volatilome investigation, which mainly involved lipid metabolism. This work highlighted the adaptative response mechanisms of A. chevalieri to overcome the CAP-NOx treatment. Industrial relevanceThe application of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) technology to avoid microbial growth in foods is considered of high interest. Utilization of CAP technology, a nonthermal technique, is encouraged because of its efficiency in maintaining natural aroma and flavor and product shelf-life. Regarding the management of Aspergillus chevalieri, the developments in mechanistic insights indicated that cold plasma affected several targets in fungal cells and was a successful tactic when employed to stop the selection of resistant fungal strains.

Review of the application of plasma technology in air pollution control

Introduction: Plasma is considered the fourth state of matter. Non-thermal plasma is more popular due to its unique features such as easy operation, quick reaction at ambient temperature, and short residence time. In this study, the application of plasma technology in air pollution control will be reviewed.
 Materials and Method: In this study, Science Direct, Google Scholar, ISI, Scopus, and Pubmed search engines were used. The keywords searched included plasma, cold plasma, thermal plasma, air pollution control, and non-thermal plasma from 2016 to 2022. 
 Results: Plasma catalysis is a useful tool for increasing pollutant degradation and energy efficiency in processes. Nevertheless, some limiting factors including the cost of catalysts, the possible cost required for their stabilization, and the resulting secondary pollution must be taken into account.
 Conclusion: To commercialize plasma technology, we are facing problems such as increasing the cost and applying the mentioned technology in the real environment. The simultaneous use of catalysts and plasma technology is a useful tool to increase the destruction of pollutants and energy efficiency in processes. No wastewater production and no need for reagents are advantages of the combination of dielectric barrier discharge plasma and catalyst. The combination of dielectric barrier discharge plasma and catalyst will be very attractive methods due to low energy consumption. It seems that the recent research will be in the direction of increasing efficiency, increasing speed, and flexibility, reducing the cost and energy consumption, and making the advanced systems based on cold plasma more environmentally friendly.

Effects of Plasma Pre-treatment on Field Germination and Seedling Growth of Platycodon Grandiflorum

This article explored the effects of plasma pre-treatment on the germination of Platycodon grandiflorum seeds. By analysing the effects of plasma pre-treatment on the germination, seedling growth and development of P. grandiflorum seeds, the study explored the best technological parameters of plasma pre-treatment for P. grandiflorum production and application, and promoted the application of plasma technology in the seed pre- treatment of P. grandiflorum. Based on field experiments, this study verified that plasma pre-treatment can have positive biological effects on P. grandiflorum. The Boltzmann equation was used to fit the germination-time process curve and the logistic equation was used to fit the growth-time process curve. According to the fitted equations, the prediction of the germination stage and the true leaf stage of P. grandiflorum were realised. Plasma pre-technology can increase the field germination of P. grandiflorum seeds by 23.9%. Furthermore, the growth advantage of P. grandiflorum during the germination period is maintained through to the true leaf stage. Plasma pre-treatment significantly shortened the time for P. grandiflorum seedlings to reach the true leaf stage and promoted growth and development.

From Basics to Frontiers: A Comprehensive Review of Plasma-Modified and Plasma-Synthesized Polymer Films.

This comprehensive review begins by tracing the historical development and progress of cold plasma technology as an innovative approach to polymer engineering. The study emphasizes the versatility of cold plasma derived from a variety of sources including low-pressure glow discharges (e.g., radiofrequency capacitively coupled plasmas) and atmospheric pressure plasmas (e.g., dielectric barrier devices, piezoelectric plasmas). It critically examines key operational parameters such as reduced electric field, pressure, discharge type, gas type and flow rate, substrate temperature, gap, and how these variables affect the properties of the synthesized or modified polymers. This review also discusses the application of cold plasma in polymer surface modification, underscoring how changes in surface properties (e.g., wettability, adhesion, biocompatibility) can be achieved by controlling various surface processes (etching, roughening, crosslinking, functionalization, crystallinity). A detailed examination of Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) reveals its efficacy in producing thin polymeric films from an array of precursors. Yasuda's models, Rapid Step-Growth Polymerization (RSGP) and Competitive Ablation Polymerization (CAP), are explained as fundamental mechanisms underpinning plasma-assisted deposition and polymerization processes. Then, the wide array of applications of cold plasma technology is explored, from the biomedical field, where it is used in creating smart drug delivery systems and biodegradable polymer implants, to its role in enhancing the performance of membrane-based filtration systems crucial for water purification, gas separation, and energy production. It investigates the potential for improving the properties of bioplastics and the exciting prospects for developing self-healing materials using this technology.