Surface Modification of Polyester Fabric by Non-Thermal Plasma Treatment

In the present study it was carried out a surface modification of polyester fabric by plasma treatment with aim of providing hidrophilicity to fabric. In the process it were used three different gaseous atmosphere with mixtures of argon, nitrogen and/or oxygen [(1) Ar + N2 (4:2), (2) Ar + N2 + O2 (4:2:2) and N2 + O2 (2:0.6)] and maintained others parameters such as pressure, current and time of treatment fixed at 1.35 mBar, 0.08 A and 30 minutes, respectively. The plasma treatment was monitored by optical emission spectroscopy (OES) to identify the species presents in the plasma reactor. Chemical changes in the fabric surface after plasma treatments were determined by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Wicking properties were used to evaluate hydrophilicity of the fabric. Wicking measurement showed that the hydrophilicity of polyester fabric was remarkably improved after treatment and was explained by XPS analysis indicating higher presence of functional groups containing nitrogen and oxygen.