Surface modification and characterization of cotton and polyamide fabrics by plasma polymerization of hexamethyldisilane and hexamethyldisiloxane

Purpose Plasma polymerization is a very promising technique to produce functional textile materials for any textile end uses as well as for high performance clothing. It can be possible to obtain highly cross-linked, pinhole free and very thin polymer films up to 1 μm thickness with unique physical and chemical properties. These films can be used as very effective barriers. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influences of plasma polymerization of hexamethyldisilane (HMDS) and hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) on the surface properties of cotton and polyamide fabrics. Design/methodology/approach The methodology is based on the surface modification of the cotton and polyamide fabrics by plasma polymerization of HMDS and HMDSO. The fabrics are modified by low pressure low temperature RF (radio frequency −13.56 MHz) plasma polymerization system under different power and time conditions. The changes in surface structure and morphology of the fabrics are investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) analysis and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Findings Water repellency of polyamide fabrics is strongly enhanced after plasma polymerization of both HMDS and HMDSO monomers. In addition to this, the treatments are found to slow down the vertical flame spread in cotton fabrics. Originality/value Increased water repellency and decreased vertical flame spread are achieved using plasma polymerization technique in a very short time with very little amount of chemical and without water and auxiliary agent.