Plasma treatment allows water suspending of the natural hydrophobic powder (lycopodium)

Lycopodium particles which are spores of the plant Lycopodium clavatum were exposed to cold oxygen and nitrogen plasma irradiation. Wetting properties of the particles changed dramatically from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. Plasma treatment allowed obtaining stable water suspensions of lycopodium. Plasma treatment did not affect the morphology of lycopodium particles. The reported results open the way for surfactants-free manufacturing suspensions of hydrophobic particles.

A. Lycopodium powder forms floating layer when deposited on water/air interface. B. Irradiated lycopodium powder suspended in water.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Oxygen and nitrogen cold plasma treatment of lycopodium particles is reported.
► Treated lycopodium particles are hydrophilic.
► Stable water suspensions of plasma treated lycopodium particles are reported.
► No hydrophobic recovery was observed.
► Tensides-free water suspensions of hydrophobic powders are produced with the reported process.