Barrier properties of polypropylene nonwoven with TiO2 coating

This study was undertaken to investigate the barrier properties of polypropylene nonwoven (PPNW) coated with TiO2 nano-particles. The coatings are based on highly photo-catalytically active nanoscaled titania powders. The surface of PPNW samples were activated by an atmospheric-pressure plasma treatment in N2 or ambient air. Consequently the surface of polypropylene textiles was coated with TiO2 nano-particles from water dispersion in concentration 5g/1. The TiO2 modified polypropylene nonwoven were analysed by FTIR spectroscopy and SEM microscopy. Measurements of barrier properties were carried out in accordance with the draft standard EN 13758-1. We compared the standard polypropylene nonwoven. polypropylene nonwoven with TiO2 coating and and polypropylene nonwoven with TiO 2 coating after washing in distilled water. It was found that high amount of TiO2 was removed by washing in distilled water. The samples coated with TiO2 have 2,5-3 times better barrier properties than standard polypropylene nonwoven.