**1.2. Plasma reactions**

property, imparted by potential modifications. Surface modification applied to the fiber is a way to add value to the nonwoven fabric and enhance the functional performance of the final

Figure 1: Scanning electron microscopy images showing the surface texture of a

Plasma is the mixture of partially and fully ionized gas, photons, free electrons, and chemically reactive atoms and radicals [1]. Plasma is generated by raising the energy content of matter through different methods such as dielectric barrier discharge, glow discharge, corona

The gas molecules become ionized when the kinetic energy of gas molecules exceeds their ionization energy. The active species in plasma only interact with the outermost surface of the substrate, approximately 10 nm in depth, without altering the bulk properties of the substrate

Plasma treatment has been recognized as an alternative ecological surface treatment to conventional liquid-based textile-coating treatments, which use solvents, additives, and

**•** Enhancement of surface energy, thereby improving wettability and adhesion properties of

**•** Improvement of the surface properties of natural and synthetic fibers to improve wettability,

**•** Hydrophobization, oleophobization (dirt- and oil-repellent effect), and functional and

With plasma, different reactions such as surface cleaning, etching, deposition, cross-linking, surface roughening, and grafting are possible [2]. Polymer surfaces can be cleaned or etched, mostly using nonpolymerizable gases such as O2, N2, H2, the noble gases, or gas mixtures [3].

**Figure 1.** Scanning electron microscopy images showing the surface texture of a nonwoven fabric

Plasma is the mixture of partially and fully ionized gas, photons, free electrons, and chemically reactive atoms and radicals [1]. Plasma is generated by raising the energy content of matter through different methods such as dielectric barrier discharge, glow discharge, corona discharge, or the

The gas molecules become ionized when the kinetic energy of gas molecules exceeds their ionization energy. The active species in plasma only interact with the outermost surface of the substrate, approximately 10 nm in depth, without altering the bulk properties of the substrate [2].

Plasma treatment has been recognized as an alternative ecological surface treatment to conventional liquid-based textile-coating treatments, which use solvents, additives, and organic

• Enhancement of surface energy, thereby improving wettability and adhesion

• Improvement of the surface properties of natural and synthetic fibers to improve

• Hydrophobization, oleophobization (dirt- and oil-repellent effect), and functional and

Plasma treatment can be used to modify the surface properties of nonwovens for:

Plasma treatment can be used to modify the surface properties of nonwovens for:

wettability, printability, and dyeability of nonwovens

bioactive coatings (antibacterial, fungicidal)

Nonwoven fabrics are produced by bonding or interlocking of fibers by different means such as mechanical, chemical, thermal, or physical. These fabrics may be designed to have a limited lifetime or as single-use fabrics, or very durable ones. The technologies enable the production from simple roll-goods to micro- and nanofiber webs. The structure of a typical nonwoven made from polypropylene fibers by melt-extrusion technologies is shown in Fig. 1. Nonwovens have been used in a wide range of products such as wipes, baby diapers, filtration media, garment interlinings, furniture padding, and many others. The end-use properties of nonwovens are determined by the properties of the fibers they are made from, the fabric structure, and other functionalities, such as absorbency, hydrophobicity, wettability, and antimicrobial property, imparted by potential modifications. Surface modification applied to the fiber is a way to add value to the nonwoven fabric and enhance the

1. Surface functionalization of nonwovens by plasma techniques

2

product.

216 Non-woven Fabrics

functional performance of the final product.

nonwoven fabric

application of a high electric field.

nonwovens

[2].

reagents and produce large volumes of liquid waste.

discharge, or the application of a high electric field.

organic reagents and produce large volumes of liquid waste.

properties of nonwovens

bioactive coatings (antibacterial, fungicidal)

printability, and dyeability of nonwovens
