ORIGINAL PAPER Study of interaction between nitrogen DBD plasma-treated viscose fibers and divalent ions Ca 2+ and Cu 2+ Ana D. Kramar • Andrijana A. Z ˇ ekic ´ • Bratislav M. Obradovic ´ • Milorad M. Kuraica • Mirjana M. Kostic ´ Received: 27 February 2014 / Accepted: 26 June 2014 / Published online: 16 July 2014 Ó Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014 Abstract Viscose fibers were treated with atmo- spheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma obtained in nitrogen in order to activate the fiber surface prior to sorption of the divalent ions Ca 2? and Cu 2? . Methylene blue sorption was used for estimation of carboxyl group formation on the surface after DBD plasma treatment, through the degree of fabric staining (K/S). Sorption of divalent ions was performed from solutions of each individual ion and from solutions of calcium and copper in succession onto untreated and plasma-treated viscose samples. The quantity of sorbed metal was determined from the neutralization and iodometric titration method. Scan- ning electron microscopy coupled with energy disper- sive X-ray analysis was used for fiber morphology and surface characterization before and after plasma treatment, and after metal ions sorption. Experiments revealed copper microparticles formation on the fiber surface when sorption of copper was performed on samples with bonded calcium. Further analysis con- firmed that for growth of copper particles, both calcium ions and nitrogen DBD plasma pretreatments are necessary. Keywords Dielectric barrier discharge plasma  Viscose  Sorption of calcium and copper  Copper microparticles Introduction The absorption and interaction of metal ions with textile materials is attracting growing interest because of the many possible applications, especially in the field of biologically active fibers and textiles for special technical uses (Anand and Horrocks 2000; Yudanova et al. 2000; Edwards and Vigo 2001; Zhukovskii 2005). Immobilization of metals in the form of ions and nanoparticles on fibrous substrates has become popular over the years because of the relatively simple immobilization procedures and broad spectrum of achieved effects obtained on textile materials, from antimicrobial (Ag, Au, Cu) and hemostatic (Ca) to UV protection (Zn) and a self- cleaning ability (Ti) (Dastjerdi and Montazer 2010). As today’s most abundant natural, nontoxic, bio- degradable polymer, cellulose comes into focus as a suitable textile material for everyday and many special applications. Cellulose macromolecules contain three hydroxyl groups per anhydroglucose unit, which can undergo typical reactions for hydroxyl groups. Chem- ical modification of cellulose leads to the introduction of new functionalities such are carbonyl and carboxyl groups (Kontturi 2005; Potthast et al. 2006). Through A. D. Kramar (&)  M. M. Kostic ´ Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia e-mail: akramar@tmf.bg.ac.rs A. A. Z ˇ ekic ´  B. M. Obradovic ´  M. M. Kuraica Faculty of Physics, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia 123 Cellulose (2014) 21:3279–3289 DOI 10.1007/s10570-014-0346-8