Surface modifications of fabric produced by regenerated fibers/cotton composite using Argon glow discharge plasma

Abstract Treating all kinds of fabrics with plasma is an environmentally friendly physical method. It saves quantities of water and chemicals and gives suitable results as preparation for dyeing and printing operations. This paper aims to investigate and compare the Surface modifications that occur in fabrics without scouring and bleaching. The used treatment is low-temperature Argon glow discharge plasma by the virtual cathode method with low current discharge (DC). The blended fabrics are 50/50 regenerated fibers/ Cotton: lyocell (Trade Name Tencel)/Cotton (L/C), Bamboo/Cotton (B/C), and Micromodal/cotton (M/C) in the form of three samples which were produced using woven construction plain 1/1 and weft and warp count 30,40/1 Ne, respectively. The untreated and plasma-treated were tested by using x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transforms Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Contact angle, tensile strength, elongation, thickness, and weight were measured. The crystallite size (D) nm was calculated using the Gaussian function. Treated M/C recorded higher values of 66.71%, 27.76%, and 510.000 nm in the coefficient of mass variation C.V% of image processing, the degree of crystallinity Cx%, and Maximum height (Sz) of AFM respectively. The contact angle of treated B/C, M/C, and L/C recorded 0,0 and 85.5 at 90s respectively. Treated M/C recorded the highest tensile strength 47.33 Mpa and the lowest elongation 11.68% in the weft direction. Treated L/C had the lowest thickness 0.030 nm, while treated M/C and B/C had the lowest weight 0.014 g. Plasma has a positive effect on fabrics, especially micromodal fibers. This indicates the importance of using Argon plasma treatment and replacing traditional treatments such as scouring and bleaching in mass production.