The effect of low temperature plasma (LTP) on polyester (PET) is investigated by examining the changes in the dyeing properties of treated PET fabrics. An optimum condition for LTP treatment is determined by orthogonal analysis and this treatment condition was used through out the study. After LTP treatment, the PET fabric samples exhibit better hydrophilicity and the dyeability of the fabric is increased and such improvement is more pronounced in the case of high energy disperse dyes. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation also reveals that the surface of the treated PET fibre becomes rough with the formation of microtroughs.

The purpose of this study was to enhance the glass-transition temperature of poly(butylene 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate) (PBTF). A series of poly(butylene-co-1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate)s (PBCTFs) were synthesized from 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM), and 1,4-butanediol. CHDM can increase the chain rigidity and lead the β relaxation temperature shift to lower temperature. Consequently, PBCTFs showed not only the high glass-transition temperature, but also high elongations at break. PBTF was a crystalline polyester. However, differential scanning calorimetry and wide-angle Xray diffraction results suggested PBCTFs were amorphous polyesters. Thermogravimetric analysis results indicated the thermal stability of copolyesters was gradually enhanced with increasing the CHDM content. When the CHDM content was 95 mol %, PBCTF95 exhibited high glass-transition temperature (69.2 C), tensile strength (44.4 MPa), and elongation at break (205%).