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Nanosecond Pulse-Driven Oxygen Bubble Plasma Activation of Low-Concentration Alcohol Solutions and its Sterilization Mechanism

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide To address the current use of high-concentration (70–75%) alcohol solutions as disinfectants, which are known for their drawbacks such as flammability and strong odor, a new approach based on nanosecond pulse-driven bubble discharge in low-concentration ethanol solutions is proposed. Research findings indicate that O 2 bubble plasma activated ethanol solution (PAES) exhibits superior sterilization efficacy. A 3 min treatment using 10% alcohol eliminated all bacteria (reducing the bacterial count by 7 orders of magnitude) with an energy requirement of only 10.9 J/ml, whereas the same treatment with air PAES achieved less than a one-order reduction and O 2 /N 2 /air plasma activated water (PAW) achieved even less. Furthermore, to delve deeper into the key factors of PAES sterilization, concentrations of inorganic reactive species (H 2 O 2, NO 2 –, NO 3 –, ONOO –, pH) and organic components resulting from alcohol decomposition (CH 3 CHO, CH 3 CH 2 OH, CH 3 COOH, and CH 3 COOOH) were analyzed using assay kits and GC-MS. Their variations at different storage temperatures (4 °C and −20 °C) were compared with the corresponding bactericidal effects. The results identified peroxyacetic acid (CH 3 COOOH) as a key bactericidal factor in PAES, showing that CH 3 COOOH over time at different storage temperatures correlated with their bactericidal effects. The study also revealed that O 2 PAES stored at −20 °C maintained complete bacterial elimination even after 4 days. Therefore, PAES has the potential to replace high-concentration alcohol solutions for sterilization.

Source: ACS Omega

DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c08119

Authors: YiQian Li, Ke Song, YanZhao Ning, LanLan Nie, DaWei Liu, XinPei Lu

Institutions: Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Tongji Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Plasma Applications and Diagnostics

Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,935