Preparation of Waterproof and Breathable Polyethylene (PE) Film Through One-Step Plasma Treatment.

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    • Abstract:
      The waterproof and breathable multifunctional films have been widely used in advanced wear protection, medical treatment, monitoring, and the aerospace industry. In this research, we prepared a new class/kind of waterproof and breathable intelligent (WBI) films through plasma surface treatment, which can be applied in the health care field. After air plasma treatments, the structural properties of polyethylene (PE) film were observed by Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetry (TG), and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that plasma treatment etches PE fibers due to the sputter etching effect of plasma modification, leading to a crystallinity decrease. In addition, the changes in water contact angle, air permeability, and water vapor transmission rate of PE films were measured to illustrate their waterproof and breathable properties. After plasma treatment, the water contact angle of PE film reduced from 112.67∘ to 45∘, indicating the PE surface converted from hydrophobic into hydrophilic. The air permeability increased to 0.450 mm/s and the water vapor transmission rate increased to 1419.788 g/m 2 ⋅ h , which means the treated PE films are breathable but not permeable to liquid water. The improved performance in waterproof and breathability expands the application of PE film in the pharmaceutical field. The waterproof and breathable polyethene (PE) film was developed using one-step plasma treatments. The nanopores of PE film changed with different plasma treatment times, which would also affect PE film's waterproof and breathability. Plasma treatments can optimize PE film's properties and enlarge its application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
    • Abstract:
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