The effect of APGD plasma treatment on silk fabric

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this study, silk fabrics were treated with Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharge (APGD) plasma in the air at a discharge voltage of 35 kV and frequency of 20 kHz. C.I. (Color Index) Natural Yellow 3 was used as a natural dye. The effect of APGD plasma treatment time on the dyeability and colour fastness of silk fabrics has been investigated. The influence of plasma treatment on the surface morphology of silk fabric was characterised using Scanning electron microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement showed that the content of nitrogen and oxygen increased with the increasing APGD plasma treatment time. Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy was used to characterise the functional groups such as –OH, –NH and –COOH on the surface of silk fabrics. The dyeability of silk fabrics was increased obviously after APGD plasma treatment, and the colour fastness of the dyed samples was satisfactory.