| This research describes original experimental work concerning surface modification of polypropylene under organometallic RF-cold plasma conditions. A critical evaluation of literature on plasma modification of fibrous materials has given direction to this investigation.; Tetramethyltin (TMT), tetraethyltin (TET) and iron pentacarbonyl (IPC) were selected to modify PP fabric substrates from organometallic plasmas. Experimental data were also derived from HMDSO plasma and from various substrates, then compared with the results from TMT, TET and IPC plasmas. This investigation allowed for an understanding of the plasma induced fragmentation mechanism and the influence of the nature of the substrates on the structure and properties of plasma created layers. Fourier-Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA), Low Energy Electron Mass Spectroscopy (LEE-MS), Gas Chromotography (GC)-MS and High Resolution (HR)-MS techniques were employed to analyze the structures of plasma generated surface layers. Wettability, contact angle, deposition thickness, UV transparency, post-plasma surface oxidation measurements, laundering and aging estimations were carried out in order to characterize the deposited layers. Simulation of the plasma induced molecular fragmentation through the LEE-MS technique led to a better understanding of the plasma polymer forming processes.; The results show that surface structure and properties (such as chemical and wettability) of PP fabrics are modified by organometallic plasmas. Surface atomic concentration of TMT and IPC plasma treated fabrics are not affected significantly by aging. Organometallic-plasma treated fabrics do not exhibit good laundering adhesion. This is probably due to the intensity of mechanical agitation.; Both TMT and TET plasmas undergo similar fragmentation mechanisms under cold plasma condition. GC-MS and HR-MS data obtained from trapped molecular mixtures indicate that the main ionic fragment from TMT plasma is m/z = 165 (demethylated TMT), and hexamethylditin (HMDT) is suggested as the principal molecular intermediate in the polymer formation process. Low intensity dehydrogenation and demethylation processes are noticed. FT-IR and ESCA analysis of the deposited polymeric layers from TMT plasma indicates the presence of Sn-C and Sn-O based structure. The Sn-O linkage were generated through post-plasma oxidation processes under open laboratory conditions. Post-plasma oxidation occurs both with TMT and IPC plasma polymeric layers. The UV and FT-IR data show that the oxidation reactions are completed after five hours in the case of PTMT polymeric layers (approximately 1200). The TMT plasma treated fabrics show a limited degree of decreased inclination to the metal plate electrode during Electrostatic Clinging Test Measurements. IPC plasma treated fabrics did not show any improvement in dispersion of static charges.; As a result, a new class of textile materials can be created through the use of organometallic plasmas for special applications such as EMR reflection or shielding; UV transparent films and fabrics; antistatic films and fabrics, and the chemical sensor devices. |
