Influence of silk surface modification via plasma treatments on adsorption kinetics of lac dyeing on silk

Silk fiber surfaces were modified using oxygen and argon plasma treatments. Adsorption kinetics of lac dyeing on silk fibers was investigated. The treated silk surfaces were notably roughened and the surface roughness was increased with increasing plasma treatment time. The adsorption of lac dye on the untreated silks and treated silks was found to follow the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The adsorption reached the equilibrium at a dyeing time of about 60 min. As seen from the amount of dye adsorbed at equilibrium, the adsorption capacity for the pretreated silks was much improved when compared with that of the untreated sample. The best improvement of adsorption capacity was found in the argon-treated silk-containing system.