Surface Properties Of Plasma Research Articles

Dual Functionality of TPU Nonwoven Prepared by Argon Plasma Treatment: A Method Forming Asymmetric Surface

Thermoplastic urethane (TPU) nonwoven is characterized by high elasticity, tensile strength, large elongation and structural stability and widely used in biomaterial. However, the hydrophobic nature of TPU nonwoven restricts its application. To improve surface hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, the surface modification of materials is carried out by plasma treatment or ion-beam irradiation. According to the wettability treatment experiences that substrate usually using two processing or more to get one side hydrophilic and another side hydrophobic. In this study, use of cold plasma treatment in enhancing surface wettability of TPU nonwoven was studied. The surface properties of plasma treated films are characterized by Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), water contact angle measurement, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This study has demonstrated that Argon plasma treatment produces hydrophobic or hydrophilic surface on the TPU nonwoven. The method is performed by first placing a hydrophobic material on one side of substrate and bring this side to face the lower electrode. By controlling the RF power of the reactor, hydrophilic or hydrophobic surface can be prepared on the other side. This technique can be applied to wound dressing.

Dimensional and Surface Properties of Plasma and Silicone Treated Wool Fabric

To improve the dimensional properties of wool fabric, two kinds of silicone polymers are applied to plasma pretreated wool. With this treatment, hygral expansion increases slightly but still remains smaller than that of silicone treated wool without the plasma pretreatment. The wrinkle recovery angles of wool increase with the treatment, and the values of fabric treated with plasma and silicone polymers are higher than those with no plasma pretreatment. In addition, the harsher handle imparted by plasma modification is improved with silicone treatment. The results show that the plasma pretreatment modifies the cuticle surface of the wool fibers and increases the reactivity of the wool fabric toward silicone polymers. Therefore, the combination of plasma and silicone treatments can improve the dimensional stability, wrinkle resistance, and performance properties of the wool. Surface smoothness of the treated fabrics as measured with a new evaluation system shows good correspondence with results from a KES-FB4 surface tester.