The influence of reactive dyes with massive chromogene and nanosilver on ultraviolet protective factor (UPF) values of lightweight cotton fabrics was investigated. The effect of nanosilver on the color of cotton fabrics and on antibacterial effectiveness was also determined. AATCC Test method 183-1998 was used for the calculation of the UPF of lightweight cotton fabric. The antibacterial activity was determined according to ASTM Designation E 2149-01. The research shows an increase in the UPF values of lightweight cotton fabrics when they are pale red or pale navy dyed with nanosilver. Cotton fabrics treated with 80 nm nanosilver showed inhibition of the growth of Streptococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. Changes of color are observed on dyed cotton fabrics treated with nanosilver.

The influence of conventional acid and alkaline high temperature dyeing procedures on fabric construction is investigated. The effects of weave construction, orange, red, and blue disperse dyes, double layers of fabrics, and UV absorber on the ultraviolet protection factors (UPF) of polyester fabrics are the topics of this research. A spectrophotometer with an integrating sphere is used to measure the uv transmittance of polyester fabrics according to an AATCC test. Small differences in the weight of fabrics after blind dyeing procedures already influence the uv transmittance of fabrics. Pale orange and blue dyed fabrics show a high enough UPF, while a pale red dyed fabric does not reach such values. Deep dyed and double layered fabrics and fabrics aftertreated with a UV absorber reach high UPF values.

In this work, the antibacterial and other properties of polyester fabrics previously functionalized by corona and/or silver nano particles have been studied. Corona air plasma was used as a pretreatment of raw, washed and washed-thermostabilized polyester fabrics to increase the adhesion of nano silver particles resulting in an excellent antibacterial effect. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was applied to analyze the surface composition and chemical bonding of the surface atoms on untreated and treated fabrics. The surface morphological changes of polyester fibers were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The quantity of silver on the polyester fabrics was determined by the use of the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry method. The antimicrobial properties of functionalized polyester fabrics were tested according to American Society for Testing and Materials ASTM Designation: E 2149-01. Additionally, the dyeing of polyester fabrics with selected disperse dye as well as capillary action tests were performed to confirm the chemical and morphological changes of polyester fibers after corona treatment. Considerable differences in surface composition were found between the raw and washed or washed-thermostabilized fabrics. The surface of raw fabrics is richer in carbon and the concentrations of the C—O and O—C=O groups are lower than on the other samples. An opposite effect is observed for washed and washed thermostabilized fabrics. SEM analyses show that the plasma treatment also affects the surface morphology. The chemical surface composition and morphology are highly related to the hydrophobicity and hydrophylicity, and the achievement of better nano silver adhesion and enhanced dyeing and antimicrobial properties of differently prepared corona plasma-treated polyester fabrics. Therefore, corona air-treated raw polyester fabrics demonstrated optimum antimicrobial properties due to the excellent adhesion of nano silver.

In an attempt to use minimal concentrations, initially, of silver nanoparticles for loading onto textiles and to achieve maximum concentrations on the material, CF4 low-pressure plasma was used on bleached and mercerized cotton fabric. The concentrations of silver on the fabrics were determined by the ICP-MS method (inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry), the morphology of fiber surfaces was observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and an x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study was used for the evaluation of surface chemical changes. The antibacterial effect of silver loaded fabrics was tested against Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The best results were found for plasma-treated cotton fabric functionalized with 30 nm silver particles. The results show effective plasma etching of the fabric surface, which caused excellent adhesion of silver particles. Color measurements of dyed samples showed that CF 4 plasma does not affect the color of dyed cotton. The mechanical properties of cotton remain unaltered after plasma treatment.

The influence of water vapor plasma on chemical, morphological and mechanical properties of bleached and mercerized cotton fabric was studied. Reactive exhaust dyeing was used for loading of nano silver. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy results show that plasma treatment enhanced nano silver adhesion to the fabric, which also contributed to antimicrobial effectiveness to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Surface changes of plasma treated cotton were observed with scanning electron microscopy. Xray photoelectron spectroscopy results show the decrease of C—C bonds in favor of C—O, O—C—O, C=O, and O=C—O bonds and higher O/C atomic ratio in plasma treated fibers. Mechanical properties of cotton yarn after plasma treatment remained unchanged.