Molecular Species Generated by Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge Micro-plasma in Small Chambers Enclosing Atmospheric Air and Water Samples

In many applications of the atmospheric pressure plasmas, the plasma is generated in chambers that enclose samples to be treated. In the case of plasma treatments of water or water-containing materials, the humidity in gaseous medium rises during the treatment, and this affects considerably the plasma generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). In this study, Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy is used to investigate the kinetics of reactive species generated by surface dielectric barrier (SDBD) micro-plasma in a small volume of atmospheric air (0.5 L) enclosed in a discharge chamber. The investigations were made for dry air (in absence of liquid water) and for humid air in presence of liquid water. The SDBD plasma contributes to desorption of water from the inner wall of the discharge chamber and enhances evaporation of liquid water, which increases air humidity and decreases the generation rates of reactive species. Kinetics of RONS generated in small samples of liquid water in contact with discharge medium is investigated by ex situ UV absorption spectroscopy measurements of plasma treated water.