Application of Low-Pressure Plasma Pretreatment in Silk Fabric Degumming Process

Abstract

A novel and effective method was developed for raw silk fabric degumming with the application of low-pressure argon plasma in pretreatment combining a subsequent one-step mild wet-chemical process. The plasma parameters, such as argon pressure, discharge power and exposure time, were optimized according to degumming loss and the properties of fabric such as capillary rise, tensile strength, bending rigidity, etc. An optimized plasma pretreatment for raw silk fabric degumming was at 80 Pa of argon gas and 60 W glow discharge power for 5-10 min. The raw silk fabric and fibers pretreated by argon plasma were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. In comparison with a conventional degumming process, the proposed method achieved comparable degumming efficiency and properties of silk fabric, and it was more environmentally friendly by shortening the conventional wet-chemical treatment process, saving the dosage of degumming agents, water and energy.

Plasma Treatment in Textile Industry

“…A new degumming method was also recently developed also for silk using a low‐pressure and glow discharge argon plasma. In comparison with a conventional degumming process, the suggested method achieved comparable degumming efficiency and properties of silk fabric, and it was more environmental friendly by shortening the conventional wet‐chemical treatment process, saving the dosage of degumming agents, water and energy …”

Comparison of Effects of Several Oxygen Containing Low Frequency Plasmas on the

“…The presence of these two regions makes silk a natural block copolymer and gives fiber the combined properties of strength, flexibility and elasticity. Because the sulphur containing side groups are absent and the ionic side groups are present only in small quantities, the links between the molecus are hydrogen bonds between main and side chains and salt linkages between side chains [1,3,[6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

“…In addition to altered mechanical properties of the fibroin fiber, this industrial processing loads wastewater and causes increased cost of effluent cleaning. Due to these disadvantages, alternative, environmentally friendly and mild degumming methods are investigated by researchers worldwide [3,4,[11][12][13].…”

Relationship between silk fabric pretreatment, droplet spreading, and ink‐jet printing accuracy of reactive dye inks

“…Silk fabric, due to luxury sheen and excellent skin affinity, has been regarded as “the queen of textiles” and been widely applied in textile fabrics for thousands years . As a new promising technology for fabric printing, ink‐jet printing has demonstrated super properties over traditional printing methods (e.g., roller printing, screen printing, etc.)…”