Plasma Deposition of Amine-Embedded Nanoporous Ultrathin Films on Polyester Enables Substrate Independent Surface Dyeing

Abstract

The paper describes the work of developing an original process of plasma deposition of nanoporous functionalized coatings, which was applied to polyester (PES) textiles enabling substrate independent surface dyeing. This novel approach is essentially based on a fine control of rivaling deposition/etching processes during plasma co-polymerization of ammonia with hydrocarbons at low pressure and at low temperature. A nanoporous structure with a large surface area was achieved that contained functional groups inside the coating volume, which were accessible to dye molecules, thus facilitating substrate independent surface dyeing. Depending on the gas ratio, a crosslinked and branched hydrocarbon network yielded excellent mechanical properties and a durable coating as indicated by the high color fastness to washing of the dyed textiles. The dyeing time can be reduced remarkably due to the porous nanoscaled coatings. Since amine-embedded functionalized films were deposited, it was possible for acid dyeing to be applied to the PES at low temperatures.