Runaway electrons preionized diffuse discharge (REP DD) could generate volume non-thermal plasmas at atmospheric pressure, thus is widely used for surface modification. In this paper, two pulsed generators are used to produce REP DD for modifying copper (Cu) foil in atmospheric air. One generator produces repetitive pulses with a peak voltage of 40 kV and a rise time of 150 ns. The other generator produces single pulse with a peak voltage of 280 kV and a rise time of 0.5 ns. After the treatment, the modification results for including the macro topography, chemical composition and microhardness in different depths of the Cu surface are analyzed. In order to estimate the modification results in different areas of the Cu foil, several points from the center to the edge of the Cu sample are selected. It could be observed that the maximal modification effect usually appears in the area where the density of the diffuse discharge plasma is highest. The experimental results show REP DD treatment could significantly decrease the water contact angle and increase surface energy of the Cu foil. Meanwhile, it could decrease the carbon concentration and increase oxygen concentration in the near-surface layer of the Cu sample, and enhance the microhardness in different depths of the Cu foil.

Polyurethane catheters made of Pellethane 2363-80AE® were treated with a low temperature plasma developed for the decontamination of reusable polymer devices in hospitals. We investigated the modifications of the polymer surface by studying the topographic modifications, the chemical modifications, and their consequences on the wettability and bacterial adhesion. This study showed that plasma treatment modified the topography and grafted oxygen and nitrogen species onto the surface, resulting in an increase in the surface polarity. This effect could be correlated to the number of nitrogen atoms interacting with the surface. Moreover, this study demonstrated the significance of multiscale heterogeneities, and the complexity of industrial medical devices made from polymers. Their surface can be heterogeneous, and they contain additives that can migrate and change the surface composition.