Development of eco-friendly colored/multifunctionalized cellulose/polyester blended fabrics using plasma preactivation and subsequent coloration/multifunctionalization in single stage

Abstract

A new green approach was developed in the present study to pre-activate and modify the cellulose/polyester blended fabrics surfaces using atmospheric plasma, as a green alternative to non-eco-friendly conventional chemical modification processes, followed by post-dyeing/functional finishing to obtain high value-added, multifunctional, protective and colored blended fabrics. The obtained results demonstrated that the imparted antibacterial and anti-UV functional properties and the increase in color strength are greatly improved owing to plasma pre-modification step. Type of plasma gas, O2− or N2−, blended substrate, cotton/polyester (C/PET) or viscose/polyester (V/PET), kind of coloring agent: pigment, basic dye or curcumin natural dye, as well as the chemical nature of functional additive: thyme oil, clove oil, lavender, tulsi, ginger, vanillin, ascorbic acid or salicylic acid, ZnO − or Al2O3− NPs have a significant impact on extent of coloration and bi-functionalization of the final products. The extent of surface modification as well degree of fixation and immobilization of the used coloring and functional agents as well as the durability to wash were confirmed by SEM & EDX analysis and washing test, respectively.