In this paper, changes in the structure of textile materials due to plasma exposure
were investigated. Textile materials of different raw material compositions: cotton,
polyester and a mixture of cotton/polyester were used. Textile materials have been
treated for 5 minutes in radiofrequency (RF) plasma with argon gas. A high voltage
RF generator with a standard frequency of 13.56 MHz was used to obtain RF
discharges in the plasma. By modifying the surface of the textile materials with
plasma, certain groups in the fiber structure were activated. The presence of
carboxyl and carbonyl groups in the structure of textile materials after plasma
treatment increases the degree of coloration, as well as the color fastness. Structural
changes in textile materials were examined by FTIR spectroscopy. FTIR analysis is
a very powerful method for determining structural changes in materials. Small
changes in the structure of the material change the intensity and position of the
peaks on the FTIR spectrum. The structural changes of knitwear and fabrics are
discussed, as well as the changes caused by the treatment of the material with
plasma.
