A Hybrid Plasma-Coupled Electrolysis for Direct Bio-Applicable Solution Activation

Developing biologically active solutions with high efficacy and low toxicity in a sustainable, cost-effective manner is highly sought after yet fraught with challenges. In this study, we introduce a discharge plasma-coupled membrane electrolysis system that utilizes electricity and water to simultaneously generate two distinct activated solutions with different bioactivities in a single process. The use of negative plasma and ion-exchange membrane causes the acid–base balance shift in the solution, thus reinforcing H⁺ accumulation around anodic areas while avoiding over-alkalization at the cathodic side. Through such a coupling, reactive species generated by plasma can be regulated, allowing for better-tailored solutions for applications: the anodic product, with an acidic pH and free chlorine, effectively inactivates Staphylococcus aureus, and the cathode one shows selective anticancer capacity, mainly due to H₂O₂ and quasi-neutral pH. Notably, the cathodic solution shows no bactericidal effect, and the anodic solution is not cytotoxic to cancer cells. Our findings offer insights into tailoring the properties of bioactive solutions for enhanced efficacy in targeted applications, such as bacterial disinfection and cancer therapy.