Surface Characteristics of Wool and Poly ( ethylene Terephthalate) Fabrics and Film Treated with Low-Temperature Plasma Under Atmospheric Pressure

Wool and poly ( ethylene terephthalate) fabrics and film were treated with low-tem perature plasmas of helium/argon or acetone/argon under atmospheric pressure for 10 to 180 seconds. Although argon itself cannot independently generate a plasma under atmospheric pressure by applying high frequency voltage, it is easily generated by adding a small quantity of helium or acetone to argon gas. Wettability of the fabrics and surface tension of the film increased considerably with the treatment within 30 seconds. ESCA analysis was used to elucidate the surface chemical composition of fibers treated with atmospheric low-temperature plasma. Relative O _{1 s} intensity in creased considerably and oxygen was incorporated in the form of —CO— and —COO— on the fiber surface. From these results, it appears that low-temperature plasma by atmospheric pressure discharge is effective for modifying the polymer surface, as it acts in the same fashion as low-temperature plasma by glow discharge.