Effect of Cold Plasma Treatment on Macromolecular Structure, Thermal and Mechanical Behavior of Jute Fiber

Cold Ar plasma treatment can be used to modify the structure of cellulosic fibers for a variety of applications. Jute fibers (Corchorus olitorius), a cellulosic fibers are treated with argon cold plasma for 5, 10, and 15 minutes. The above samples are characterized by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), Fourier transform infra spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Instron1185. Results from SAXS and XRD confirmed the macromolecular and micro-structural changes after plasma treatment. This is caused due to the bombardment of high energetic ions on the fiber surfaces. Rough topography with the formation of the pit was clearly seen in SEM micrograph for plasma treated fiber, which resulted in the loss of mechanical strength as detected by Instron 1185 in the test for single fiber mechanical strength. It was also shown that the modulus and tenacity of the jute fibers were decreased after plasma treatment. FT-IR studies supported the surface chemistry changes after treatment DSC data demonstrated that the thermal degradation of hemicelluloses lowered to 270 degrees C from 290 degrees C and cellulose degradation temperature lowered to 351 degrees C from 365 degrees C after 15-min plasma treatment resulted in the thermal instability of fiber after cold plasma treatment.