Study on Glow Discharge Plasma Used in Polyester Surface Modification

To achieve an atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) in air and modify the surface of polyester thread using plasma, the electric field distribution and discharge characteristics under different conditions were studied. We found that the region with a strong electric field, which was formed in a tiny gap between two electrodes constituting a line-line contact electrode structure, provided the initial electron for the entire discharge process. Thus, the discharge voltage was reduced. The dielectric barrier of the line-line contact electrodes can inhibit the generation of secondary electrons. Thus, the transient current pulse discharge was reduced significantly, and an APGD in air was achieved. We designed double layer line-line contact electrodes, which can generate the APGD on the surface of a material under treatment directly. A noticeable change in the surface morphology of polyester fiber was visualized with the aid of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Two electrode structures – the multi-row line-line and double-helix line-line contact electrodes - were designed. A large area of the APGD plasma with flat and curved surfaces can be formed in air using these contact electrodes. This can improve the efficiency of surface treatment and is significant for the application of the APGD plasma in industries.