The influence of water vapor content on electrical and spectral properties of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet

An atmospheric pressure plasma jet generated in Ar with water vapor is investigated. It is shown that an increase in the water content results in a decrease in the input power and asymmetry of the current waveform on positive and negative half-periods of the applied voltage. Space-resolved spectroscopy with a resolution of 1 mm and an imaging technique are applied for the characterization of the afterglow and investigation of the influence of water content on plasma properties. The rotational temperature of the jet is determined by simulation of the OH radical emission spectrum, transition A (2)Sigma(+)(v = 0) -> X (2)Pi(v = 0). It is revealed that the temperature of the discharge increases from 450 K (Ar) up to 850 K with an increase in the water content up to 7600 ppm. Generation of the discharge in mixtures of argon with water vapor at a concentration of 350 ppm results in a maximal yield of OH radicals that can be useful in plasma jet applications. Preliminary tests of polypropylene surface modification are carried out in order to estimate the influence of water content on the results of treatment.