Ultraviolet Protection, Flame Retardancy and Antibacterial Properties of Treated Polyester Fabric Using Plasma-Nano Technology

Wafaa M. Raslan, Usama S. Rashed, Hanan El-Sayad, Azza A. El-Halwagy
DOI: 10.4236/msa.2011.210194                

Abstract

Nanotechnology provides the ability to engineer the properties of materials. The possibility of using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) air plasma treatment for fibre surface activation to facilitate deposition of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), nano-silver (Ag) and nano-titanium dioxide (TiO₂) onto polyester fabric is investigated. It is aimed to study the possibility of engineering the multifunctional of polyester fabric. The treated fabric is evaluated through measuring the whiteness index (WI), wettability, surface roughness, surface morphology, flame retardancy, ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), antibacterial activity, mechanical properties, and coloration behavior as well as fastness properties. Scan electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) graphs show deposition of Al₂O₃ and nano particles (NPs) of TiO₂ and Ag onto the fibre after washing several times. Air plasma-Al₂O₃ treatment improves the flame retarding, UPF, the thermal stability and whiteness of polyester fabric; whereas air plasma-nano Ag treatment affects positively the antibacterial activity of the fibre and air plasma-nano TiO₂ enhances the fibre protection against ultraviolet rays. The colouration behaviour of the treated samples is unchanged or slightly improved.

Keywords

Polyester, Plasma, Nanotechnology, Modification, Dyeing- Printing, UV Protection, Fire Proof, Antibacterial Activity

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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