In this paper, we report and discuss the semi-permanently hydrophilic (SPH) treatment of polyester fabric using plasma polymerization and oxidation based on atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (APDBD) technology. SiOxCy (-H) was coated on polyester fabric using Hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (HMCTSO) as a precursor, and then plasma oxidation was performed to change the upper layer of the thin film to SiO2-like. The degradation of hydrophilicity of the SPH polyester fabrics was evaluated by water contact angle (WCA) and wicking time after repeated washing. The surface morphology of the coated yarns was observed with scanning electron microscopy, and the presence of the coating layer was confirmed by measuring the Si peak using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The WCA of the SPH polyester fabric increased to 50 degrees after 30 washes, but it was still hydrophilic compared to the untreated fabric. The decrease in hydrophilicity of the SPH fabric was due to peeling of the SiOxCy(-H) thin film coated on polyester yarns.

In order to reuse the photocatalyst and enhance the photolysis efficiency, we have used atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (APDBD) to clean and activate TiO2 powder. The photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 powder before and after APDBD treatment was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution. The apparent reaction rate constant of photolysis of the first sample of reused TiO2 cleaned by APDBD improved to a level up to 0.32h- 1 higher than the 30 % value of the initial TiO2 powder. As the number of photolysis reactions and APDBD cleanings increased, the apparent rate constants gradually decreased; however, the fourth photolysis reaction still showed a value that was greater than 10% of the initial value. In addition, APDBD treatment enhanced the process by which TiO2 effectively adsorbed MB at every photolysis stage.

Plasma properties of dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) at atmospheric pressure were measured and characterized using optical emission spectroscopy. Optical emissions were measured from argon, nitrogen, or air discharges generated at 5- 9 kV using 20 kHz power supply. Emissions from nitrogen molecules were markedly measured, irrespective of discharge gases. The intensity of emission peaks was increased with applied voltage and electrode gap. The short wavelength peaks (315.9 nm and 337.1 nm) measured at the middle of DBDs were significantly increased with applied voltage. The optical emission from DBDs decreased with the addition of oxygen gas, which was especially significant in argon discharge. Emission from oxygen molecules cannot be measured from air discharge and argon discharge with 4.8% oxygen. The emission intensity at 337.1 nm and 357.7 nm related with nitrogen molecule was sensitively changed with electrode types and discharge voltages. However, the pattern of argon emission spectrum was nearly the same, irrespective of electrode type, oxygen content, and discharge voltage.