A novel approach for functionalization of polyester and cotton textiles with continuous online deposition of plasma polymers

Abstract

This paper reports a novel approach for surface modification of 100 % cotton and 100 % polyester fabrics with atmospheric pressure plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (APPECVD) of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO). The chemical and structural nature of HMDSO plasma polymers deposited on the fabric surface with respect to discharge power has been studied with FTIR spectroscopy. The functional property such as water repellency imparted to the polyester and cotton fabrics after plasma treatment has been determined by spray test. It is observed that water repellent properties improve after plasma treatment. Moreover, the intrinsic hydrophilic or hydrophobic behaviour of cotton and polyester substrates has been found to have significant effect on the water repellency of the plasma treated samples. Deposition of plasma polymer on the surface of treated samples has been substantiated by scanning electron microscopy. It has been observed that tensile strength of cotton fabric remains unaffected by the given experimental conditions, whereas that of polyester fabric considerably deteriorates at higher discharge powers.