Antistatic Easily‐Dyeable Polyethylene Terephthalate Fabric via Eco‐Friendly Plasma‐Mediated Facile Tactic

ABSTRACT Water‐ and energy‐saving eco‐friendly technologies, such as plasma irradiation, have emerged as promising solutions for sustainable wet processing of textile fibers. Herein, the surface of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber was treated with a nitrogen plasma beam before being finished with renewable protein biopolymers, like sericin and keratin, using the pad‐dry‐cure method. Treatment of PET fabrics was carried out in the presence and absence of glutardialdehyde as a crosslinking agent. The effects of plasma exposure duration, curing temperature, and curing time on the dye affinity of the finished PET fabric for C.I. Acid Blue 203 and C.I. Reactive Red 24 were systematically studied. The alteration in the chemical composition of PET fabrics was monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and by determining the fabrics' nitrogen content. Scanning electron microscopy was used to follow the change in the fiber morphology. Results of this investigation revealed that finishing of PET with the N 2 plasma/sericin or keratin system rendered the fabric hydrophilic and antistatic. The finished PET fabrics became dyeable with acid and reactive dyes with adequate light and wash fastness, making the simultaneous dyeing of PET/wool blends possible. The treated PET exhibited enhanced water vapor permeability and ultraviolet protection factor without negative impact on the fabric's strength. The finished fabric was found to be durable against repeated washing.