Investigation of plasma treatment on hydrophobicity of polyester fabrics as a green approach

Super-hydrophobic fabrics have many applications such as, outdoor wear and protective textiles. Investigations are revealed that two factors surface roughness and low free surface energy of substrate are cause of water repellent behavior. Utilization of nanoparticles is a traditional method for roughening the surfaces that is expensive and causes environment pollutions. Furthermore, plasma as an eco-friendly treatment has no disadvantages of chemical treatment and can be used for large scale. According to Wenzel theory increment in roughness will increase the contact angle. Hence, in this research, Air-Plasma pre-treatment improved efficiency of hydrophobic agent post-treatment and subsequently contact angle. The roughness creation is due to the pin-hole effect of plasma treatment, Eventually thecontact angle of 149.5° obtained

Keywords:

Super-hydrophobicity , Air Plasma , Polyester , Fluorocarbons