CC BY 4.0 UnportedKredl, JanaKolb, Juergen F.Schnabel, UtaPolak, MartinWeltmann, Klaus-DieterFricke, Katja2022-08-082022-08-082016https://oa.tib.eu/renate/handle/123456789/9958http://dx.doi.org/10.34657/8996Inanimate surfaces serve as a permanent reservoir for infectious microorganisms, which is a growing problem in areas in everyday life. Coating of surfaces with inorganic antimicrobials, such as copper, can contribute to reduce the adherence and growth of microorganisms. The use of a DC operated air plasma jet for the deposition of copper thin films on acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) substrates is reported. ABS is a widespread material used in consumer applications, including hospitals. The influence of gas flow rate and input current on thin film characteristics and its bactericidal effect have been studied. Results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy confirmed the presence of thin copper layers on plasma-exposed ABS and the formation of copper particles with a size in the range from 20 to 100 nm, respectively. The bactericidal properties of the copper-coated surfaces were tested against Staphylococcus aureus. A reduction in growth by 93% compared with the attachment of bacteria on untreated samples was observed for coverage of the surface with 7 at. % copper.enghttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/600Acrylonitrile butadiene styreneAntimicrobial activityCold atmospheric pressure plasmaCooperDC plasma jetPolymerStaphylococcus aureusArticle