In situ atmospheric pressure plasma treatment of cotton with monocarboxylic acids to impart crease-resistant functionality

Crease-resistant functionalization of cotton fabric was carried out using a combination of monofunctional carboxylic acid-based precursors, i.e. acrylic acid and dodecanoic acid. The reaction of precursors with cotton was carried out in situ using helium atmospheric pressure plasma at low frequency. After the treatment, a 40 % increase in CRA was achieved. The functional property developed after the treatment was durable against both solvent and soap washing. The effect of various parameters, such as the concentration of the precursor, helium flow rate, discharge power density and treatment time, on functionalization was investigated. Plasma was characterized using oscilloscope and optical emission spectroscopy. Modification of the chemical nature of the fabric surface was characterized by ATR-FTIR. The study of the surface morphology by FE-SEM revealed the formation of a uniform thin layer on individual fibers. The loss in tearing strength was limited to 28 %, while tensile strength remained unaffected. The plasma characteristics were correlated with crease-resistant functionalization.