Inkjet printing of plasma surface–modified wool and cotton fabrics with plant-based inks

Abstract

In this research paper, sustainable technologies that are plasma surface treatment and digital printing of wool and cotton fabrics with herbal inks are implemented for ecological outcomes. One of the significant objectives was to study the plasma surface modification and its implication on fabric absorbency, K/S values gained, and the fastness properties of the resultant herbal fabrics. The wash fastness to colour change was studied wherein plasma surface treatment remarkably improved wash fastness ratings from 1–2 to 3–4 obtained on inkjet printed wool and cotton fabrics. These findings were supported by data gained from optical tensiometer, ATR-FTIR, drop test and SEM justifying the enhanced wettability of the modified fabrics. The factorial experiment was designed for this segment of research, and it was further validated with ANOVA one-way test. The concluding parametric study with plasma surface modification yielded the probability value of 0.000463 and actual power of 0.99 which is reassuring. The ecological characterisation and assessment of functional properties of the herbal fabrics are suggested for the forthcoming study.