Abstract
In this work, a shock-free argon-fed plasma plume was generated by a variable-frequency power supply and the discharge characteristics were investigated from the voltage and current waveforms between 72 and 92 kHz frequencies. The higher electron temperature dominates the plasma chemical process and the average plasma temperature is about 30 ℃ under these conditions. The influence of non-thermal atmospheric plasma plume length and plume temperature on Ar gas flow is optimized at 7 sL/min. The average charge accumulation on the plume tip area and the dependence of flow rate on the plasma irradiation area were also explored. This atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) has been proposed for human-skin irradiation on different areas (even on the tongue) owing to its less painful, tingling and burning effect. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) confirmed the presence of excited argon with reactive nitrogen (RNS) and oxygen species (ROS). This study contributes to a better understanding of non-thermal plasma effects on the human body which may find prospects for disinfection and prevention of different diseases during the current pandemic time. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00339-022-06022-w.