Development of universal fabric dyeing and adhesion through RF glow discharge plasma treatment.

Abstract

Various dyeing techniques are utilised at dyeing different types of fabrics and current study discuss the possibility of using a single dye bath for the given purpose. The current study utilised a radio frequency glow discharge plasma source maintained at near atmospheric conditions (around 200 mbar) in nitrogen and air environments to treat cotton, nylon, and polyester fabrics. Similar surface modifications produced in all three types of fabrics by OH and O radicals tailoring them more sensitive to certain dyes and glues. SEM images verified that bulk material is well protected by plasma treatment and the presence of additional surface functionalities (hydroxyl, carboxylic, and carbon-nitrogen groups) on the treated fabric surfaces were determined by FTIR and XPS analysis. The plasma-treated samples were dyed in a single dye bath using a reactive dye under atmospheric neutral conditions and a significant enhancement in fabric dyeability (cotton- 124%, nylon- 61%, polyester- 38%) was observed. PVA glue was used for fastening the fabric samples and the adhesion was analysed through tensile measurement. Well improved adhesion capabilities (148%, 95%, and 57.3% respectively for cotton, nylon, and polyester) also confirm the advantages of RF glow discharge plasma treatment for unified fabric processing.