Application of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Oxidation and Plasma-Induced Polymer Coating to Surface Functionalization of Textiles

Surface functionalization of fibers is one of powerful meanings for improvement of textile performances. In this review, two atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJ), plasma oxidation with nitrogen gas and plasma-induced polymer coating with hexamethyldisiloxane, are utilized for the surface functionalization of synthetic fibers, poly (ethylene terephthalate), PET. The PET film with a geometrical simplicity and natural fiber, wool, are also used as materials. The topographical and chemical changes due to the plasma–PET surface interaction are clearly observed after the APPJ treatments. The APPJ oxidation roughens the PET surface as well as increases the surface atomic oxygen concentration, which makes it hydrophilic. However, remarkable hydrophobization is achieved after the APPJ coating as a result of the deposition of inorganic SiO2 films and the granular morphology formation on the PET surface. The APPJ oxidation after the APPJ coating makes the PET surface super-hydrophilic. Surprisingly, the APPJ-coated PET surfaces with and without the APPJ oxidation have no contact angle hysteresis and preserve the contact angle to remain almost constant for at least two weeks. With respect to textile performance, the antifouling property of the PET fabric is found to be controlled by the APPJ treatments: soil deposition in air is prevented after the APPJ coating and soil release by laundering is promoted by the APPJ oxidation to the pristine and the APPJ-coated PET fabrics. Water wicking into the PET and wool fabrics is remarkably promoted by the APPJ oxidation. The dyeability of the PET fabric by dispersive dyes is improved by the APPJ oxidation before dyeing. For the wool fabric, color deepening after ink-jet dyeing is significantly increased due to pretreatment by the APPJ oxidation compared with the chemical treatment.