Effects of corona treatment on nylon 6 and dyeing properties

Atmospheric plasma treatment as an environmentally friendly method was employed to modify the surface properties and improve the absorption of dye on to nylon 6 fabric. Nylon fabric was treated in atmospheric air plasma, then dyeing with direct dye and color strength of colored fiber were evaluated with spectrophotometer and the surface characteristics of the fabric were evaluated using Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform-infrared (ATR-FTIR) analysis, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), plasma-generated reactive species preferentially break the C-N bonds, and not the aliphatic C-C chain of nylon. Formation of low-molecular weight acidic molecules that act as dye carrier and creation of micro-channels onto nylon surface seems to favor dye diffusion into the fiber cores. Corona treatment improved color strength and depth of the color.