Plasma treatment in textile industry

Plasma technology applied to textiles is a dry, environmentally- and worker-friendly method to achieve surface alteration without modifying the bulk properties of different materials. In particular, atmospheric non-thermal plasmas are suited because most textile materials are heat sensitive polymers and applicable in a continuous processes. In the last years plasma technology has become a very active, high growth research field, assuming a great importance among all available material surface modifications in textile industry. The main objective of this review is to provide a critical update on the current state of art relating plasma technologies applied to textile industryFernando Oliveira (SFRH/BD/65254/2009) acknowledges Fundacao para a Cioncia e Tecnologia, Portugal, for its doctoral grant financial support. Andrea Zille (C2011-UMINHO-2C2T-01) acknowledges funding from Programa Compromisso para a Cioncia 2008, Portugal

A biomimetic surface treatment to obtain durable omniphobic textiles

A bio-inspired surface treatment to make fabrics omniphobic is reported, exploiting the ability of dopamine - a widespread naturally occurring biological neurotransmitter - to give substrate adhesion and surface immobilization. Standard polyester and polyacrylonitrile fabrics, which are intrinsically rather hydrophilic, are first dip-coated in an aqueous solution of dopamine and then treated with a fluorocarbon-based solution. After the treatment, fabrics show a strong omniphobic behavior, while remaining quite permeable to water vapor. The efficiency of the proposed biomimetic treatment is investigated by Optical Contact Angle, Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Moreover, the mechanical durability of the surface treatment is tested through Martindale abrasion resistance measurements