Effects of exposure to a One Atmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma (OAUDP/spl trade/) on the surface energy and strength of nanofiber fabrics

Summary form only given, as follows. Summary form only given. Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) methods have recently been developed to electrospin nano-scale non-woven webs and to improve their properties by exposure to the One Atmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma, as a collaborative effort by the UT Plasma Sciences Laboratory and the UT Textiles and Nonwovens Development Center (TANDEC). Nanofiber webs are made by the electrospinning process, which uses the electrostatic force to spin fibers from a polymer solution or melt. In our tests, such nanofiber fabrics have a significantly higher tensile strength than meltblown or spun-bonded webs composed of fibers microns in diameter. Electrospun nanofiber fabrics also require less energy and capital input, as compared to the traditional meltblown process. These webs have been post-treated by the One Atmospheric Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma to improve their surface characteristics such as wettability and wickability. We have further investigated the chemical and physical mechanisms behind these property changes, and we have determined optimum plasma operating conditions to produce such desired effects on the nanofabrics as high surface energy, durability of wettability, dyeability, etc. With future development, these improved nanofabrics should find applications to protective garments and other clothing.