The sterilization of Escherichia coli by dielectric-barrier discharge plasma at atmospheric pressure

► The E. coli on the surface of PTFE, PVC, and PET is sterilized by DBD air plasma. ► Extending time, decreasing gap spacing and cell density enhance inactivation effect. ► The efficiency is 99.999% by 5 min, 3-cm gap spacing and on PET films. ► Protein leakage and cell morphology alteration revealed the etching on cell membrane.