The surface modification by O ₂ low temperature plasma to improve dyeing properties of Rex rabbit fibers

Dyeability of the fiber plays a very important role in the textile industry. The presence of cuticle scales on the surface of Rex rabbit fibers brings difficulties to dyeing process. In this study, O ₂ low temperature plasma was used to improve the dyeability of Rex rabbit fibers and the two key parameters including the treating time and discharge power were optimized during O ₂ low temperature plasma treatment. The impact of plasma treatment on the surface morphology, physical-chemical properties, and dyeing behavior of Rex rabbit fibers using anionic dyes were investigated by a series of characterization methods such as scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared–attenuated total reflection, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The surface dyeability and color fastness were studied by K/S measurement and washing fastness, respectively. The influence of O ₂ low temperature plasma treatment on the mechanical properties of Rex rabbit fibers was inspected by the tensile strength measurement. The wettability of the samples was evaluated in terms of wetting time and contact angle. The O ₂ low temperature plasma treatment resulted in a dramatic improvement in wettability of Rex rabbit fibers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared–attenuated total reflection analysis show that oxygen plasma treatment led to a significant increase in the content of sulfur oxides and polar groups such as (–C=O, –OH, and –NH ₂ ) on the fiber surface and resulted in reinforced wettability, dyeing rate and dyeing fixation of Rex rabbit fibers.