Reducing Microplastic Fibre Release from Polyester Fabric through Plasma Pretreatment

The increased use of synthetic textiles, particularly polyester, raised environmental concerns due to the release of microplastic fibres during domestic laundering activities. This study focuses on the effect of surface treatments on the microplastic fibre release behaviour of polyester fabrics after multiple washing cycles. Five fabric types were tested: untreated (raw) polyester and four pre-treated samples with 0.6% and 1.2% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and chitosan solutions. Washing trials were conducted in accordance with ISO 4484-1:2023 protocol. Filtration and drying processes are carried out after the first, third, and fifth washes. Quantification is made by assessing the mass and count data of microplastic fibres collected on glass fibre filters. In addition, fibre lengths were examined to assess distribution patterns and morphological modifications. The results indicate that pre-treatment significantly influences microplastic fibre release. Both NaOH and chitosan treatments, led to reductions in total fibre count and mass loss compared to the raw polyester sample. Surface modifications were observed using FTIR and SEM analysis. These findings show that surface treatments are capable of decreasing microplastic fibre shedding from polyester textiles, providing a viable and scalable solution for controlling microplastic pollution from domestic laundry. The study contributes to efforts in textile engineering and environmental protection by highlighting effective pre-treatment options for reducing microplastic fibre release at the source.