Surface Modification of Cotton Textile using Low-Temperature Plasma

Among the different types of plasma, only the non-thermal (e.g., the cold) plasma can be used for surface engineering of heat sensitive polymeric textile substrates to produce different value-added functional textiles, such as water-repellent, hydrophilic, antimicrobial, flame retardant, UV protective and antistatic; besides, improving their dyeing and printing quality, and also, the adhesion strength of the coated textiles. Cellulosic cotton textiles have been modified using low-pressure as well as atmospheric pressure plasmas using various non-polymerizing to polymerizing gaseous or liquid precursors. After the plasma treatment, there happens an increase in oxygen containing polar groups in the treated sample due to surface oxidation, and increases in surface roughness and area due to the plasma etching. It has also been used in order to decrease in surface energy due to attachment of hydrocarbon/fluorocarbon/silicone compound. This paper discusses on the surface modification of cotton textiles, especially using low-temperature plasmas in the presence of helium (He), argon, nitrogen (N₂), air, oxygen (O₂), and reactive gases for its improvement in desizing, dyeing, and printing, as well as in pre or post-treatments for improving the functional value of textiles.