Plasma treatment for producing hydrophobic and hydrophilic coatings on fabric surfaces

Baglan Kyrykbay; Sultan Ussenkhan; Zhanseriк Onaibergenov; Nazym Akhanova; Almasbek Utegenov; Sagi Orazbayev

doi:10.26577/phst20251221

Authors

Baglan Kyrykbay Institute of Applied Sciences and Information Technologies https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8488-0862 (unauthenticated)
Sultan Ussenkhan Kazakh-British Technical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6597-2066 (unauthenticated)
Zhanseriк Onaibergenov Institute of Applied Sciences and Information Technologies https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2286-1406 (unauthenticated)
Nazym Akhanova Kazakh-British Technical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2767-8711 (unauthenticated)
Almasbek Utegenov Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6768-0918 (unauthenticated)
Sagi Orazbayev Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7286-9990 (unauthenticated)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26577/phst20251221

Abstract

This study examines the formation of hydrophilic and superhydrophobic surfaces using atmospheric-pressure plasma jets, with a particular emphasis on developing durable waterproof coatings for textile materials. The effects of plasma treatment on the structural and chemical properties of the substrates were analyzed, along with the influence of key technological parameters such as discharge power and the composition of the plasma-forming gas. Argon (Ar) was used as the primary plasma gas, while hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) vapor served as the precursor for hydrophobic coating formation. Surface hydrophilicity was evaluated after one and ten treatment cycles using Ar plasma at a flow rate of 40 mL/s and a discharge power of 200 W. Superhydrophobic coatings were produced under similar plasma conditions, with a gas mixture of Ar + HMDSO introduced at 20 mL/min. Contact angle measurements were performed to assess changes in wettability and to quantify the hydrophilic or superhydrophobic character of the treated surfaces. The results demonstrate that plasma treatment enables effective tuning of surface hydrophobicity and that the resulting coatings exhibit stable performance when exposed to various liquids.

Keywords: surface treatments, liquid-solid interfaces, superhydrophobic, hydrophilic, fabric.

Author Biographies

Baglan Kyrykbay, Institute of Applied Sciences and Information Technologies

Baglan A. Kyrykbay (corresponding author) – Master of Science, Researcher at the Kazakh-British Technical University (Almaty, Kazakhstan, e-mail: baglankyrykbaj44@gmail.com);
Sultan Ussenkhan, Kazakh-British Technical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Sultan S. Ussenkhan – Master of Science, Researcher at the Institute of Applied Sciences and Information Technologies (Almaty, Kazakhstan, e-mail: sultan@physics.kz);
Zhanseriк Onaibergenov, Institute of Applied Sciences and Information Technologies

Zhanserik Ongaibergenov – Researcher at the Institute of Applied Sciences and Information Technologies (Almaty, Kazakhstan, e-mail: onajbergenovz@gmail.com);
Nazym Akhanova, Kazakh-British Technical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Akhanova Nazim Yerlanovna – PhD, Acting Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation/Director of the Department of Science and Innovation at the Kazakh-British Technical University (Almaty, Kazakhstan, e-mail: n.akhanova@kbtu.kz);
Almasbek Utegenov, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Almasbek U. Utegenov – PhD, Associate Professor at the Department of Plasma Physics, Nanotechnology, and Computational Physics, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Almaty, Kazakhstan, e-mail: almasbek@physics.kz);
Sagi Orazbayev, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Sagi A. Orazbayev – PhD, Associate Professor at the Department of Plasma Physics, Nanotechnology, and Computational Physics, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Almaty, Kazakhstan, e-mail: sagi.orazbayev@gmail.com).