Physical and chemical analysis of plasma-treated cotton fabric subjected to wrinkle-resistant finishing

Cotton fabrics were treated with oxygen plasma gas and/or wrinkle-resistant finishing agent with polycarboxylic acid. The results of wicking rate, contact angle and wettability tests revealed that the atmospheric plasma treatment significantly improved hydrophilicity of cotton fiber. Such improvement greatly enhances the effectiveness of post-finishing processes. The study showed that chemical composition of cotton fabric surface changed after plasma and wrinkle-resistant treatment. Chemical composition of surface of treated cotton specimens was evaluated with different characterization methods, namely, FTIR-ATR and EDX. The experimental results are thoroughly discussed.