Preparation and characterization of copper-coated polyester fabric pretreated with laser by magnetron sputtering

Abstract

Laser treatment is a high-efficiency coating process with many advantages of stable performance, convenient operation and environmental friendly. In this study, an efficient method for the pretreatment of polyester fabric, based on exposure to the output from a CO2 laser, is investigated. Polyester fabrics were treated by laser and then copper films were coated on the surface of treated polyester fabrics by magnetron sputtering method. Copper-coated polyester fabrics were characterized by XRD and SEM. Contact angle, heat generation and electrical conductivity of copper coated polyester fabric were tested. The electrical conductivity, UPF value and contact angle of copper-coated polyester fabric with pretreatment of 6.5 W lasers are 0.239 Ω/sq, 147.4, and 128.5°, respectively. The temperature of copper-coated fabric can be kept at 25.8℃ using only 5 V. The results suggest that the copper-coated polyester fabric with pretreatment of laser has excellent electrical conductive property, hydrophobicity, UV blocking, and heat generation properties. The adhesion strength between copper coating and fibers is improved after laser treatment. Laser can be potentially used in pretreatment of fabrics before coating in the future.