Surface modification of polypropylene non-woven fabric for improving its hydrophilicity

Abstract

In this study, nano-silica thin films were deposited on the surface of polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabric (NWF) by reactive magnetron sputtering with a mixture of argon and oxygen gases to improve the hydrophilicity of the materials. The effects of process parameters, including oxygen gas concentration, treatment time, and density of the sample on the resulting hydrophilicity of the fabricated product were measured in terms of relative weight increase caused by the adsorption of water and water contact angle. The results indicated that the PP NWF modified by reactive magnetron sputtering at an oxygen gas concentration of 40%, a treatment time of 20 min, and a density less than 500 g/m 2 showed improved hydrophilicity. In addition, the surface morphology and chemical composition of the treated samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry. It was determined that the silicon dioxide nanoparticles were evenly deposited on the surface of fibres.

3D-MID Technology for Surface Modification of Polymer-Based Composites: A Comprehensive Review

“…PP has a high chemical resistance on account of its nonpolar character, and it has no inherent flame-retardant properties. Moreover, reinforced PP by glass fiber or talc can reduce the isotropic shrinkage and heat distortion resistance [ 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 ].…”

Hydrophilic cloth by surface modification of polypropylene fabrics with mineral particles

“…In this sense, specific grafting molecules and/or with thin film deposition are applied onto PP non-woven fabrics, whose surfaces were activated by plasma and/ or silanol applications. [12][13][14][15][16] In the present work, a simply alternative to modify the hydrophobic character of PP non-woven fabrics by surface inclusion of mineral particles is explored. In this way, particles could absorb water making these fabrics more hydrophilic without use of plasma, liquid coating or chemical reaction.…”

A new approach to function-structure modeling of the surface modified polymers

“…Surface modification of the polymers is a well-known method for altering their physical, chemical and functional characteristics [1][2][3]. Classifying the methods of the surface modification by the aggregate state of the modifier, we can conditionally distinguish solid-, liquid-and gas-phase approaches to the surface treatment [4][5][6]. There are also a number of additional activation techniques: mechanical, thermal, electro-and optical methods [7][8][9][10][11].…”