Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Analyses of Argon and Oxygen Plasma Treated Jute

Low temperature plasma (LTP) treatment, a kind of environmental friendly surface modification technique, was applied to biodegradable and ligno-cellulosic jute fibre with the use of two nonpolymerizing gases, namely argon (Ar) and oxygen (O2) at various discharge power levels of 50, 75 and 100 W, and exposure times 5, 10, 15 and 20 min. with a flow rate of 0.2 L/min where W, min. and L/min stands for discharge powers, exposure times and liter per minute for the LTP treatment of the fibres. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra of both raw and low temperature Ar and O2 plasma treated jute were studied at various discharge power levels and exposure times. The analyses of the chemical structure by FTIR spectra of raw jute and plasma treated jute fibre showed similar spectra with the change in the peak intensity and shift in the peak position. From FTIR spectra, the changes at the bands around 1730, 1650, 1235, 1077, 1030 and at 890 cm-1 revealed surface chemistry of fiber changes after plasma treatment. FTIR has given evidence of moisture removal from the fibre.