Ultra-violet protection and water repellency of polyester fabrics treated by surface deposition of nickel under the effect of low temperature plasma

This paper is aimed at understanding the textile properties of nickel-deposited polyester fabric after treating with low temperature plasma treatment. Low temperature plasma treatment with oxygen gas was employed in this paper to activate a hydrophilic surface for the polyester fabrics and hence facilitate the nickel deposition through an electroless plating process. The textile properties of plasma-induced electroless nickel-plated polyester fabrics were evaluated by different standard testing methods in terms of both physical and chemical performances. The electroless nickel plating with plasma treatment improved significantly the performance of nickel-plated polyester fabrics as reflected by the scanning electron microscopy, tensile strength, ultraviolet protection as well as fabric weight. On the contrary, it also enhanced the fabric thickness and colour fastness to crocking. In addition, there was no influence on the performance of colour fastness to light and colourfastness to laundering. Moreover, the application of plasma treatment adversely affected slightly the performance of contact angle and wrinkle recovery property.