Impact of plasma treatment on acoustic properties of natural cellulose materials

Low-temperature plasma is widely used in many surface treatment technologies for modifications of the physical properties of different polymeric materials. In the present work, we have examined the modification of acoustical properties of natural cellulose materials (cotton, hemp) by the radio-frequency argon plasma. We have observed an increase of the sound absorption coefficient due to the plasma treatment for certain range of applied powers. An analysis of elementary processes which happened during plasma–material interaction was conducted. Additional analyses related to material characterizations were performed in order to resolve structural and chemical changes of plasma treated materials. The micro-mechanical modification of treated materials, which happened upon the retrieved structural and chemical changes, was related to the modification of its acoustical properties in order to explain the observed effect. Graphic abstract