Natural dyeing and antibacterial activity of atmospheric-plasma-treated nylon 6 fabric

Atmospheric plasma treatment as an environmentally friendly method was employed to modify the surface properties and improve the absorption of natural cationic dye on to nylon 6 fabric. Nylon fabric was treated in atmospheric air plasma, and the surface characteristics of the fabric were evaluated using attenuated total reflection Fourier Transform-infrared analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and a wicking test. The effects of plasma treatment and mordanting with copper sulfate on the dye uptake of the samples were investigated. Plasma-treated and mordanted samples showed the highest colour strength when dyed. The antibacterial activity of samples was evaluated according to AATCC test method 100-2004. Premordanting with copper sulfate showed a synergistic effect on the antibacterial properties of the dyed fabric. The plasma-treated and copper-sulfate-mordanted sample showed acceptable antibacterial activity against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria when dyed with an extract from Berberis vulgaris, berberine.