Non-thermal plasma treatment of cellulosic biopolymer to enhance its surface property for various applications: A review

Abstract

Abstract Plasma technology applied to biopolymers industries is a dry and environment-friendly process for achieving surface alteration without altering its bulk properties. Two kinds of plasma are primarily used; thermal (hot) and non-thermal (cold). Thermal plasma has a temperature of the order of 1000 K on the other hand cold plasma is maintained around room temperature. Non-thermal atmospheric plasmas are ideal for biopolymers materials because they are heat sensitive and are applicable to continuous processes. For achieving desirable changes on the surface topography of biopolymer, correct understanding of chemical and physical nature of plasma is required. Various cellulosic biopolymers like cotton fibre, banana fibre, linen fibre have a wide range of industrial applications. Among overall applications of cellulosic biopolymers, surface modification is of profound importance as it improves various properties such as softness, roughness, crystallinity, lubricity, dye-ability, antimicrobial tendency and wettability.