Optimization and surface modification of silk fabric using DBD air plasma for improving wicking properties

Abstract

It is necessary to study the suitable effect of plasma parameters, such as exposure time and applied voltage on the wicking properties of silk fabrics. Wicking property of silk fabric has been improved by using air dielectric barrier discharge plasma treatment. The plasma treatment has been utilized to modify the surface properties of silk fabrics. Untreated and plasma-treated fabrics have been characterized by contact angle Goniometer, wicking test, Wet-out time, scanning electron microscope, Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transforms Infrared spectrometer (ATR-FTIR) and dye uptake test. The ATR-FTIR characterization shows that the hydroxyl functional group has been increased after plasma treatment of silk fabric. The experimental results of wicking rate and Wet-out time of the plasma-treated silk fabrics have shown significant improvement in hydrophilic properties that could be confirmed by contact angle measurement which is close to 0°. The tensile strength of untreated and plasma-treated fabrics has been measured to confirm the enhanced surface property.

Keywords:

• Degummed silk
• DBD plasma
• ATR-FTIR
• SEM
• wicking
• wetting

Acknowledgment

Authors are thankful to Plasma Science Society of India (PSSI) for providing financial support under PSSI fellowship and also thankful to FCIPT for providing experimental facilities to carry out the research work.