Low-temperature plasma treatment of Tencel

The effect of low-temperature plasma (LTP) on the surface modification of Tencel fabric was studied using the plasma gases of oxygen and argon. The experimental results showed that argon plasma caused higher fabric weight loss. In addition, there was a tremendous decrease in the whiteness of the testing specimens as a result of the long exposure of argon LTP treatment. The results of scanning electron microscopy showed that short exposure of argon or oxygen plasma increased the surface roughness on Tencel fabric that promoted the dye uptake. The contact angle test result showed that the wettability is increased by means of short-exposure LTP treatment. The generation of hydrophilic hydroxyl groups in Tencel during the oxygen or argon LTP treatment was confirmed by the result of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the increased hydroxyl groups will assist the dye uptake.