Direct low temperature plasma (LTP) has been studied for some years now as
an alternative eco-friendly technology for achieving shrink-resistant wool
fabrics, its action being attributed to the varied active species existing
in the plasma. In this paper, for the first time, the efficiency of a
post-discharge plasma treatment on the shrink-resistance of wool fabrics has
been evaluated. The density of active species present in the nitrogen plasma
post-discharge (PD) has been determined by optical spectroscopy and their
effects on the increase of hydrophilicity at different treatment times have
been recorded through drop test and contact angle techniques. Analysis of
the surface by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) has shown the increase
in N and O – containing functionalities. The post-discharge has shown to be
effective in reducing the area shrinkage of the fabrics and its effects have
been compared to those obtained by direct LTP.