Effect of CO2 laser treatment on cotton surface

In this study, CO2 laser was used for treating cotton fabric to create surface effects which were found to vary with laser process parameters, i.e. resolution and pixel time. The resolutions used were 40, 50 and 60 dpi while the pixel time used were 100, 110 and 120 mu s. Both physical and chemical properties at the surface of fabrics treated with different combinations of resolution and pixel time were analysed by the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy with Attenuated Total Reflection mode (FTIR-ATR), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). SEM investigation revealed the appearance of various numbers of pores, cracks and fragments present on the fibre surface after laser treatment. FTIR-ATR spectra showed that the laser-treated cotton fabric suffered changes in chemical structure with the hydroxyl (-OH) stretching group being oxidised to carbonyl/carboxyl groups. The XPS analysis revealed a change in surface elemental composition after laser treatment. Furthermore, the wicking property of the laser-treated cotton fabrics was evaluated.