Functionalization of Textile Materials by Plasma Enhanced Modification

Textile materials are increasingly used in various industries. In these applications, the surfaces of textile materials play a key role, because a range of performance properties depends on surface characteristics. As with many other types of materials, the surface properties of textiles can be readily altered by the treatment of the materials with gas plasma, without impairment of their bulk mechanical properties. This article presents examples of new approaches to functionalization of textiles using plasma-enhanced modifications. Examples are given of the work on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nonwoven materials. Micrographs, obtained by scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) are presented to demonstrate changes in the surface topography, surface chemistry, and surface wettability of PET nonwovens. The great potential for significant improvements in the properties of textiles by plasma-enhanced modification is highly promising.