Functional Properties of Electroless Silver-Plated Cotton Fabric via LTP Pre-Treatment

Silver-plated textiles have exhibited their specific features not only on mechanical performance but also on functional properties. In this study, silver plating technique was applied on cotton fabric to improve its functional properties, especially the anti-bacterial and anti-UV properties. Silver plating was conducted in this research with the aid of oxygen and argon low-temperature plasma (LTP) pre-treatment on the cotton fabric to manipulate the film of the coating. The silver-plated cotton fabric was characterized in terms of its functional properties. The micro-roughness formed on the cotton fabric after the LTP pre-treatment facilitated the silver particles deposition. As a result, the anti-bacterial and anti-UV properties of the silver-plated cotton fabric and the water repellent ability of the cotton fabric were improved after the silver-plating process.