Modification of Cotton Fiber by Low Temperature Plasma.

Abstract

Cotton fiber was modified by low temperature plasma of air, oxygen and argon. The modification speed with 13.56MHz-waves was faster than it was with 20KHz- waves. The modification speeds, in descending order, were as follows: oxygen>air>argon plasma.When the cotton fiber was modified by low temperature plasma treatment, flexual rigidity decreased and ductility increased. Water absorption increased, as did crease resistance, drying rate and degree of crystallinity. On the other hand, equilibrium moisture regain, K/S value of reactive dye and direct dye decreased. The soil release property developed through air and oxygen plasma treatment. From the ESCA spectra, it was found that the fiber surface quality was reformed from C-H bond C-O bond by argon plasma treatment. With weight loss 18.69% by air plasma treatment, tear strength retention of treated cotton broad was 73.8% in warp and 77.0% in fill.