Erlangen 2026 – scientific programme

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P: Fachverband Plasmaphysik

P 13: Atmospheric Pressure Plasmas II

P 13.5: Talk

Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 17:30–17:45, KH 01.020

Investigating the influence of pulsed plasmas in water on copper surface — •Pia-Victoria Pottkämper, Oliver Krettek, Nils Huber, Sven Weller, and Achim von Keudell — Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

In-liquid plasmas enable a variety of applications. For instance, they can be used to induce nanoparticle formation both in the treated liquid and on a surface in contact with the liquid. Plasmas in liquids, when ignited by voltage pulses with fast rise times and nanosecond pulse lengths applied to a small electrode wire, yield a high degree of dissociation of the molecules in the liquid, a high mass transport and efficient reaction rates. The in-liquid plasma causes the formation of reactive oxygen species from the water molecules. The reactive species can propagate through the liquid. When a surface is in direct contact with the liquid, the species can induce modifications of this surface.

In this project, the modification of copper surfaces by in-liquid plasma treatment is investigated. On copper surfaces, growth of CuxO nanocubes can be induced. One application of these nanocubes is the catalysis of the electrochemical reduction of CO2. The activity of these nanocube catalysts decreases with use over time. Therefore, the catalytically active surface needs to be replaced regularly. It is postulated that by an in-situ in-liquid plasma treatment a re-activation of the surface could be achieved, thereby extending the lifetime of the copper oxide catalysts.

Keywords: In-Liquid Plasma; Plasma Electrolysis; Copper; Nanoparticle Formation