Surface modification of fabrics by air plasma and argon plasma generated from theta-pinch device

Abstract

Polyester, cotton and polyester/cotton blended (T/C) fabrics were surfaced-modified by high temperature-pulsed air plasma and argon plasma generated from a theta-pinch device. The number of plasma shot applied to the fabric was varied from 10, 20, 30 and 40 shots. The theta-pinch device was operated with the pressure of 2 Pa, the maximum input current of 125 kA and the charging voltage of 20 kV. Attenuated total reflectance fourier transform infrared spectra of all plasma-treated fabrics indicated the formation of hydrophilic functional groups such as carbonyl, amine and aldehyde groups depending on the gas type and the fabric type. In addition, scanning electron microscopic photographs revealed the etching and the redeposition of etched fragments on the fabric surface resulting in surface roughness. It was found that better wettability was achieved with increasing the number of plasma shot. However, dyeability and colorfastness to washing properties were also depended on the fabric type. It was found that highly hydrophilic fabric such as cotton, air and argon plasma treatments had no effects on these two properties. In the case of polyester and T/C fabrics, after dyeing with selected dyes, it was found that the highest color strengths were achieved when they were modified by 20 shots of air plasma.