Effects of non-thermal plasma on the electrical properties of an erythrocyte membrane

Non-thermal plasma is used here for membrane oxidation and permeabilization in which the electrical properties of an erythrocyte membrane are investigated after treatments. The zeta potential as measured by electrophoresis shows the increased negativity of the membrane surface potential (psi(s)). The secondary electron emission coefficient (gamma) measured by a focused ion beam shows a decrease in the dipole potential (psi(d)) of lipid molecules. The voltage-sensitive fluorescent intensity as measured by flow cytometry shows a decrease in the trans-membrane potential (Delta psi) through the lipid bilayer membrane. These results allow us to take a step forward to unveil the complex events occurring in plasma-treated cells. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.