Improvement of Linen Fabric Wickability by Low Temperature Plasma Treatment

Low temperature plasma treatments were applied to linen with oxygen and argon, various level of discharge power and exposure time. Tbe fabric weight loss increased with the exposure time. Their effects on surface chemical properties and morphology of flax fiber, and fabric wickability were investigated. X - ray photoelec-tron spectroscopy discovered that the surface oxygen content of the plasma treated sample was increased. Formation of voids and cracks on the fiber surface was revealed by the scanning electron microscopy. Fabric wickability first was increased and then decreased with the prolonged exposure.

Mechanical properties of Mg-6Gd-1Y-0.5Zr alloy processed by low temperature thermo-mechanical treatment

An as-solution treated Mg-6Gd-1Y-0.4Zr alloy was processed by low temperature thermo-mechanical treatments （LT-TMT）, including cold tension with various strains followed by aging at 200 °C to peak hardness. The results show that the precipitation kinetics of the alloy experienced LT-TMT is greatly accelerated and the aging time to peak hardness is greatly decreased with increasing tensile strain. The tensile yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation at room temperature of the alloy after cold tension with strain of 10% and peak aging at 200 °C are 251 MPa, 296 MPa and 8%, respectively, which are superior to the commercial heat-resistant WE54 alloy, although the latter has a higher rare earth element content.

Polymer Surface Treatment by Atmospheric Pressure Low Temperature Surface Discharge Plasma:Its Characteristics and Comparison with Low Pressure Oxygen Plasma Treatment

The polymer treatment with a low-temperature plasma jet generated on the atmospheric pressure surface discharge （SD） plasma is performed. The change of the surface property over time, in comparison with low pressure oxygen （O2） plasma treatment, is examined. As one compares the treatment by atmospheric pressure plasma to that by the low pressure O2 plasma of PS （polystyrene） the treatment effects were almost in complete agreement. However, when the atmospheric pressure plasma was used for PP（polypropylene）, it produced remarkable hydrophilic effects.

Plasma-assisted surface treatment for low-temperature annealed ohmic contact on AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors

In this study, a low-temperature annealed ohmic contact process was proposed on AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field effect transistors （HFETs） with the assistance of inductively coupled plasma （ICP） surface treatment. The effect of ICP treatment process on the 2DEG channel as well as the formation mechanism of the low annealing temperature ohmic contact was investigated. An appropriate residual AlGaN thickness and a plasma-induced damage are considered to contribute to the low-temperature annealed ohmic contact. By using a single Al layer to replace the conventional Ti/Al stacks, ohmic contact with a contact resistance of 0.35 Ω.mm was obtained when annealed at 575 ℃ for 3 min. Good ohmic contact was also obtained by annealing at 500 ℃ for 20 rain.

DIAMOND FILMS DEPOSITED AT LOW TEMPERATURES MICROWAVE PLASMA-ASSISTED CVD METHOD

Low-temperature deposition of diamond thin films in the range of 280￣445℃ has been successfully carried out by microwave plasma-assisted CVD method.At lower deposition temperatures (280￣445℃),the large increase in the nucleation density and great improvement in the average surfae roughness of the diamond were observed. Results of low temperature deposition and characterization of diamond thin films obtained are presented.

IMPROVEMENT OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF MARTENSITIC STAINLESS STEEL BY PLASMA NITRIDING AT LOW TEMPERATURE

A series of experiments were carried out to study the influence of low temperature plasma nitriding on the mechanical properties of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel. Plasma nitriding experiments were carried out for 15 h at 350℃ by means of DC- pulsed plasma in 25%N2＋ 75%H2 atmosphere. The microstructure, phase composition, and residual stresses profiles of the nitrided layers were determined by optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The microhardness profiles of the nitridied surfaces were also studied. The fatigue life, sliding wear, and erosion wear loss of the untreated specimens and plasma nitriding specimens were determined on the basis of a rotating bending fatigue tester, a ball-on-disc wear tester, and a solid particle erosion tester. The results show that the 350℃ nitrided surface is dominated by c-Fe3N and ON, which is supersaturated nitrogen solid solution. They have high hardness and chemical stabilities. So the low temperature plasma nitriding not only increases the surface hardness values but also improves the wear and erosion resistance. In addition, the fatigue limit of AISI 420 steel can also be improved by plasma nitriding at 350℃ because plasma nitriding produces residual compressive stress inside the modified layer.

Effect of low temperature thermo-mechanical treatment on microstructures and mechanical properties of TC4 alloy

The effects of low temperature thermo-mechanical treatment （LTTMT） on microstructures and mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V （TC4） alloy were studied by optical microscopy （OM）, tensile test, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The experimental results confirm that the strength of TC4 alloy can be improved obviously by LTTMT processing, which combines strain strengthening with aging strengthening. The effect of LTTMT on the alloy depends on the microstructure of the refined and dispersed a＋fl phase on the basis of high dislocation density by pre-deformation below recrystallization temperature. The tensile strength decreases with the increase of pre-deformation reduction. The optimal processing parameters of LTTMT for TC4 alloy are as follows： solution treatment at 900 ℃ for 15 min, pre-deformation in the range of 600-700 ℃ with a reduction of 35%, finally aging at 540 ℃ for 4 h followed by air-cooling.

Fretting Wear Behavior of Medium Carbon Steel Modified by Low Temperature Gas Multi-component Thermo-chemical Treatment

The introduction of surface engineering is expected to be an effective strategy against fretting damage. A large number of studies show that the low gas multi-component （such as carbon, nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen, etc） thermo-chemical treatment（LTGMTT） can overcome the brittleness of nitriding process, and upgrade the surface hardness and improve the wear resistance and fatigue properties of the work-pieces significantly. However, there are few reports on the anti-fretting properties of the LTGMTT modified layer up to now, which limits the applications of fretting. So this paper discusses the fretting wear behavior of modified layer on the surface of LZ50 （0.48%C） steel prepared by low temperature gas multi-component thermo-chemical treatment （LTGMTT） technology. The fretting wear tests of the modified layer flat specimens and its substrate （LZ50 steel） against 52100 steel balls with diameter of 40 mm are carried out under normal load of 150 N and displacement amplitudes varied from 2 μm to 40 μm. Characterization of the modified layer and dynamic analyses in combination with microscopic examinations were performed through the means of scanning electron microscope（SEM）, optical microscope（OM）, X-ray diffraction（XRD） and surface profilometer. The experimental results showed that the modified layer with a total thickness of 60 μm was consisted of three parts, i.e., loose layer, compound layer and diffusion layer. Compared with the substrate, the range of the mixed fretting regime（MFR） of the LTGMTT modified layer diminished, and the slip regime（SR） of the modified layer shifted to the direction of smaller displacement amplitude. The coefficient of friction（COF） of the modified layer was lower than that of the substrate in the initial stage. For the modified layer, the damage in partial slip regime（PSR） was very slight. The fretting wear mechanism of the modified layer both in MFR and SR was abrasive wear and delamination. The modified layer presented better wear resistance than the substrate in PSR and MFR; however, in SR, the wear resistance of the modified layer decreased with the increase of the displacement amplitudes. The experimental results can provide some experimental bases for promoting industrial application of LTGMTT modified layer in anti-fretting wear.

Applications and challenges of low temperature plasma in pharmaceutical field

Low temperature plasma(LTP)technology has shown an outstanding application value in the pharmaceutical filed in recent ten years.This paper reviews the research advances in LTP,including its effects on enhancing or inhibiting drug activity,its combined use with drugs to treat cancers,its effects on the improvement of drug delivery system,its use in preparation of new inactivated virus vaccines,its use with mass spectrometry for rapid detection of drug quality,and the anti-tumor and sterilization effects of plasma-activated liquids.The paper also analyzes the challenges of LTP in the pharmaceutical filed,hoping to promote related research.

Dyeing Behavior of Yak Hair Fiber Treated with Microwave Low Temperature Plasma

The scales on the surface of yak hair fiber act as barriers during the dyeing process. In order to solve the scale problem and to improve the dyeability of yak hair, yak hair fiber was treated by microwave low temperature plasma (MLTP) in this study. The weight loss and the dyeing properties of the yak hair fiber modified by MLTP were investigated. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) photographs were taken to observe the changes in the surface shape of yak hair fiber before and after treatment. Results showed that after MLTP treatment, the scale structure of yak hair was weakened and damaged greatly and the noticeable changes on the surface shape took place. At the same time, a significant improvement in dyeing properties of yak hair fiber was exhibited.

Wastewater treatment performance and microbial community structure in the constructed wetland under double-pressure of low temperature and Ag NPs exposure

To investigate the effects of silver nanoparticles(Ag NPs)and low temperature double-pressure on the wastewater treatment efficacy and the microbial community structure of constructed wetlands,a pilot-scale vertical flow constructed wetland was set up to treat synthetic wastewater under laboratory conditions.By measuring the effluent concentration of ammonia nitrogen(NH_(4)^(+)-N),total nitrogen(TN),total phosphorus(TP),chemical oxygen demand(COD),and the diversity,richness,and community structure of microorganisms of the upper and lower soil layers in the wetland,the nutrient removal effect of the constructed wetland and the changes in the microflora of the soil layer were studied.The results reveal that the correlation coefficients between the removal rates of TN and NH_(4)^(+)-N and the temperature are 0.463 and 0.692,respectively,indicating a significant positive correlation.From the warm to the cold season,both the diversity and richness of microorganisms in the lower soil layer of wetlands are inhibited under the double-pressure of Ag NPs and low temperature,and the abundances of the denitrogenation functional bacteria such as Candidatus nitrososphaera,Sulfuritalea,Anaeromyxobacter,Candidatus solibacter,Nitrospira,and Zoogloea are altered.Low temperature and Ag NPs exposure can thus affect the wastewater treatment performance of constructed wetlands,possibly because of the seasonal changes of the microflora.

Experimental Research of Inactivation Effect of Low-Temperature Plasma on Bacteria

The killing logarithms index in killing a vegetative form in an explosure of about 90s and a spore in an explosure of about 120s, by using a low-temperature plasma produced by dielectric barrier discharge （DBD）, reached 5. The speed in killing the strains tested, by using a low-temperature plasma, was the highest with E. Coli, then S. Aureus and B. Subtilis var niger spore. The results of the scanning electron microscope showed that the low-temperature plasma destroyed the outer structure of the bacteria and that the vegetative form was more susceptible to the inactivation effect of the low-temperature plasma than was the spore. This indicated that the effects of the high voltage and high velocity particle flow, in plasma, penetrating through the outer structure of the bacteria might play a dominant role during the inactivation of the bacteria.

Effect of Low Temperature Treatment on Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation of Maize Seed Buds

[Objectives]This study was conducted to improve the genetic transformation rate of maize. [Methods]The seeds of maize ＂ Zheng 58＂ as the experimental material were germinated and treated under freezing temperature of-18 ℃ for 30 and 35 min. The EGFP gene was transformed into the growth points of these seed buds by Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105. The transformation effect was determined by fluorescence protein detection on transformed buds. [Results]After a certain period of treatment at-18 ℃ following germination and transformation of maize bud growth points with A. tumefaciens,although the survival rate of maize buds was reduced,the percentage of transformed cells significantly increased. [Conclusions]Low temperature treatment can improve the transformation efficiency of A. tumefaciens to the growth point of maize bud.

BEHAVIOR OF CHO CELLS ON MODIFIED POLYPROPYLENE BY LOW TEMPERATURE AMMONIA PLASMA

The surface of polypropylene (PP) membrane was modified by low temperature plasma with ammonia. The effect of exposure time was investigated by means of contact angle measurement. The results show that low temperature ammonia plasma treatment can enhance its hydrophilicity. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells attachment on the modified membrane was enhanced and the growth rate on the membrane was faster than unmodified one.

Surface Modification of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Membranes by Low-Temperature Plasma with Grafting Styrene

In order to control the surface pore sizes of polyvinylidene fluoride membranes and their distribution, low temperature plasma-induced grafting modifications of PVDF were studied to prepare hydrophobe membranes. By argon （Ar） treating and subsequent grafting reaction, a hydrophobe monomer, styrene, was introduced into the PVDF membrane. Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection （FTIR-ATR） was utilized to characterize the chemical and physical changes in the Ar plasma modified membrane. The surface modifications of PVDF membranes were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, atomic force microscopy （AFM） and differential scanning calorimeter （DSC）. The water permeability and the solute rejection were measured by PVDF membrane modified in different graft conditions. Results demonstrated that the pores in the modified membranes get smaller and the distribution of pores gets narrowed with the increase in grafting reaction duration. Longer graft time caused the water flux of PVDF membrane to decrease from 578 kg/（m^2· h） to 23 kg/（m^2· h） and the solute rejection to increase from 73% to 92%.

Design and characteristics investigation of a miniature low-temperature plasma spark discharge device

Atmospheric pressure low-temperature plasma is a promising tool in biomedicine applications including blood coagulation,bacterial inactivation,sterilization,and cancer treatment,due to its high chemical activity and limited thermal damage.It is of great importance to develop portable plasma sources that are safe to human touch and suitable for outdoor and household operation.In this work,a portable and rechargeable low-temperature plasma spark discharge device(130 mm×80 mm×35 mm,300 g)was designed.The discharge frequency and plume length were optimized by the selection of resistance,capacitance,electrode gap,and ground electrode aperture.Results show that the spark plasma plume is generated with a length of 12 mm and a frequency of 10 Hz at a capacitance of 0.33μF.resistance of 1 MΩ,electrode gap of 2 mm,and ground electrode aperture of 1.5 mm.Biological tests indicate that the plasma produced by this device contains abundant reactive species,which can be applied in plasma biomedicine,including daily sterilization and wound healing.

Effect of Treatment Temperature on Iron Nitride Foils Irradiated with Nitrogen Plasma

We investigated the effect of treatment temperature on the magnetic property of iron nitride foils irradiated with nitrogen plasma. The iron nitride foils irradiated with nitrogen plasma were composed of ε-Fe2/3N, γ'-Fe4N and γ nitrogen austenite in α-Fe of the matrix. The saturation magnetization of the iron nitride foils decreased with increasing the surface temperature. The coercive force of the iron nitride foils increased with increasing the surface temperature.

Surface XPS-investigations of tobacco leaves treated with low-temperature plasma

The tobacco leaves were treated with low-temperature plasma in Ar, N2, O2, and air atmospheres at different powers (60―130 W). The surface-elemental components, their relative contents, and the functional groups of the surface components of the tobacco leaves were determined using XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). The ex- perimental results showed that the percentage of the elements C, N, and O had changed considerably and a large number of polar functional groups containing oxygen atoms were incorporated into the components on the tobacco surfaces. The measurements of the surface contact angle showed that the surface contact angle of the modified tobacco leaves was 0 degree, whereas it was 110 degrees before the plasma treatment. These results indicate that the wettability of the modified tobacco leaves improved dramatically. This work may be significant for future researches on the surface modification of the tobacco leaves.

Remove of Phenolic Compounds in Water by Low-Temperature Plasma: A Review of Current Research

Phenolic compounds have very strong toxicity, so it has been paid sharply attention to find an effective way of controlling the wastewater containing phenolic compounds. The work on this subject done by domestic and overseas scholars is studied in this paper, and the progress of researches on low-temperature plasma treatment is summarized through the electrical discharge types, mechanism, kinetics of phenolic compounds decomposition and combination of several methods with low-temperature plasma treatment. In addition, the crucial problem and the developing tendency on low-temperature plasma treatment for phenol-bearing wastewater are briefly discussed.

Destruction of Gaseous Styrene with a Low-Temperature Plasma Induced by a Tubular Multilayer Dielectric Barrier Discharge

The destruction of gaseous styrene was studied using a low-temperature plasma induced by tubular multilayer dielectric barrier discharge（DBD）.The results indicate that the applied voltage,gas flow rate,inlet styrene concentration and reactor configuration play important roles in styrene removal efficiency （ηstyrene） and energy yield（EY）.Values of ηstyrene and EY reached 96%and 15567 mg/kWh when the applied voltage,gas flow rate,inlet styrene concentration and layers of quartz tubes were set at 10.8 kV,5.0 m/s,229 mg/m^3 and 5 layers,respectively.A qualitative analysis of the byproducts and a detailed discussion of the reaction mechanism are also presented.The results could facilitate industrial applications of the new DBD reactor for waste gas treatment.