Effect of plasma treatment on self-cleaning of textile fabric using titanium dioxide

Self-cleaning textiles are attracting increasing attention and the properties of titanium dioxide (TiO2) are very important in achieving this goal. The aim of this reported project is to enhance the TiO2 absorption rate on the surface of polyester fabrics using plasma treatment in order to achieve and conduct the durable self-cleaning property more efficiently. In this work, vacuum plasma apparatus (DC magnetron sputtering) was used. Samples were plasma treated for 30 s, 1, 2, 4 and 6 min. Then, the samples were impregnated with TiO2. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analyses were used for observing TiO2 particles on the surface of the samples. Finally, the samples were stained using methylene blue and were exposed to daylight for 12 h and the self-cleaning properties were examined. The samples were scanned before and after being placed under light. A water drop test was also performed. Absorption of TiO2 in the raw sample was less than that of the plasma-treated samples. By increasing the duration of operation, the absorption rate was greater. The results showed the self-cleaning property and good stability for plasma-treated samples.