Improvement in surface hydrophilicity and resistance to deformation of natural leather through O2/H2O low-temperature plasma treatment

- O2/H2O can increase oxygen concentration in the plasma compared to the pure O2 atmosphere.
- Pores at the surface of natural leather became larger and deeper with enhanced permeability of water.
- The initial water contact angle was about 21°.
- Its preferable surface hydrophilicity kept for 3 days, which gives guidance for next process.
- The elongation of the treated sample for 10 min was twice as large as that of the untreated sample.