Functionalization of Polyester Fabric by Ar/N2 Plasma and Silver

The objective of this research was to use Ar/N2 (50%:50%) plasma to increase the adhesion of nano silver particles to raw polyester fabric. RUCO-BAC AGP was applied using the exhaust method. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed differences in surface composition between the Ar/N2 plasma-treated and untreated raw fabrics. The Ar/N2 plasma treatment was found to increase the surface carbon concentration and decrease the concentration of C-O and O-C=O groups on the surface. After plasma etching, the specific surface of the polyester fabric and properties related to it were found to change significantly. This change was confirmed by a decrease in the whiteness index and an increase in the dyeability of the polyester fabric with disperse dye. Morphological changes in the surface of plasma-treated polyester fabric enabled greater adhesion of nano silver particles and increased the antimicrobial effect with respect to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus faecalis.