Surface activation of viscose textiles via air, argon, and oxygen dielectric barrier discharge plasma: influence of peak voltage

This paper discusses the use of atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment to enhance the surface qualities of viscose fabrics. The study explores the effects of different plasma gases, discharge voltages, and exposure times on the treated fabrics. The findings emphasize the importance of optimizing the plasma’s peak voltage to achieve the desired surface treatment outcomes. The document also presents data on colour strength, wettability, colour fastness, and tensile strength of the treated fabrics, as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of surface morphology and chemical analysis using fourier- transition infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The results show that treatment at a peak voltage of 11.83 kV is more efficient, except for the tensile strength which is enhanced at a peak voltage of 8.92 kV. The oxygen plasma treatment significantly improves the colour strength, which exhibits an increase from 11 to 18. The intensified colour was attributed to the significant influence of electrostatic interactions between the charged hydroxyl groups of the oxygen plasma treated viscose textiles and the dye molecules, which enhance the printability. The oxygen DBD plasma exhibits a higher ability to enhance the properties of textiles when compared to air and argon plasmas. This study presents a sustainable, economical, secure, and ecologically friendly approach to explore new fabrics for specific uses.