Sterilization by Means of a Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge: Effects of Electro- Hydro- Dynamics and Reactive Species

Since the 1970s, plasma’s capability to increase gases sterilizing potential has been demonstrated. During the 2000s some studies started to investigate the possibility to use plasmas to add sterilizing properties to non-germicidal gases (air, helium…). Years of studies and development have shown how they can be useful to inactivate different bacteria, spores, fungi and yeasts. The high amount of variables influencing a plasma bring to big differences in the effects it can have on a biological payload. Several different chemical compounds can be found in a plasma, depending on the kind of gas one is using and the operating conditions one is igniting the plasma with. In this thesis my work was focused on trying to better understand the differences in sterilizing efficacy of different chemical compounds produced by an atmospheric pressure Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma in air. In particular, the influence of the plasma source design on the Electro-Hydro-Dynamic effect and its products, and the relative importance of NOx species production and concentrations over the Ozone is investigated.