Controllable Wetting Modification of Polypropylene Fibrous Mats

In this study, polypropylene (PP) fibrous mats are modified by plasma treatment, following by chemical grafting. Initially, the as-prepared PP fibrous mats are treated by plasma at different oxygen (O ₂ ) and argon (Ar) ratios. Then, the PP fibrous mats are modified by grafting dopamine onto polar groups for in situ polymerizations, resulting in a polydopamine (PDA) coating on the substrate's surface. Time-sensitive wettability is thereby converted into permanent wettability in PP fibers. The morphology, chemical performance, and relative wettability of the modified PP fibers are then characterized. The experimental results show, using an O ₂ /Ar ratio of 3:7 during plasma treatment, that the water contact angle was decreased from 114.2° to 0°, and the maximum grafting degree was 0.79%.