Treating of Rayon-flocked Fabric by Atmospheric Pressure Plasma

This study investigates hydrophobisation of the surface of rayon-flocked fabric by means of atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) treatment with tetramethylsilane (TMS). Plasma deposition of TMS is regarded as an effective, single-step low pollution method. A detailed study of the process parameters was conducted. A highly hydrophobic surface was successfully fabricated on rayon-flocked fabric and the hydrophobic surface was found to have good stain resistance to coffee and milk tea

USING AGEING EFFECT FOR HYDROPHOBIC MODIFICATION OF COTTON FABRIC WITH ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE PLASMA

A hydrophobic modification of cotton fabric was demonstrated with atmospheric pressure plasma treatment with oxygen as the reactive gas. Oxygen plasma was determined to be capable of inducing hydrophobic modification of cotton fabric surface by utilizing the ageing effect. Upon ageing, the surface polarity was reversed and hydrophobic aliphatic hydrocarbons were formed, which was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Surface hydrophobicity was quantified by the wetting area measurement. Wetted area of plasma-modified cotton was found to be strongly dependent on plasma-induced surface structures and the chemical composition on the fiber surface. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that physical morphological alteration was also a crucial factor that contributed to surface hydrophobicity. This work seeks to determine a controlled hydrophobic modification of textile materials through optimization of plasma process based on the Orthogonal Array Testing Strategy (OATS). Optimum process conditions were determined based on reduction of wetted area of plasma-modified cotton fabrics. Finally, hydrophobicity of plasma-modified cotton fabric was compared with conventional water repellency treatment

Tunable carbon nanotube ionic polymer actuators that are operable in dry conditions

Actuators are widely used in intelligent material systems. However, electromagnetic, piezoelectric or shape memory alloy actuators are too heavy, complicated and too slow for such applications. In contrast, electroactive polymers (EAPs) are relatively lightweight, rather simple and fast enough to suit the requirements of an actuator. In this study, we have developed CNT ionic polymer actuators that are operable in a wide range of humidities. Optimum performance can be tunable by the addition of different CNT concentrations. A low percentage of CNT will form well distributed sponge-like structures which enable effective entrapment of moisture within the polymer matrix and thus favor the work of the actuator in dry environments, while a higher CNT percentage will lower the water absorption rate, and increase the elastic pressure of the matrix to reduce swelling and deformation. Therefore, the actuators also work well in very high humidity. It is likely that this actuator will have a wide range of bio-inspired applications

Regenerable Antimicrobial Finishing of Cotton with Nitrogen Plasma Treatment

The effects of process variables on regenerable antimicrobial finishing of cotton fabric with nitrogen plasma treatment were investigated. Cotton fabric was treated with a mixture of nitrogen and helium plasma, and it was chlorinated with sodium hypochlorite to impart antimicrobial properties. An orthogonal array testing strategy (OATS) was used in the finishing process to determine the optimum treatment conditions. After finishing, the properties of cotton fabric, including concentration of chlorine, tearing strength, and presence of functional groups, were evaluated by ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), tear testing, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Cotton fabric treated with nitrogen plasma and chlorination effectively blocked microorganism growth. The resistance to Staphylococcus aureus bacteria was regenerable, and nitrogen plasma treatment showed no noticeable influence on the tearing strength of the cotton fabric