Abstract:
A process for making a hydrophilic nonwoven structure comprising: forming a nonwoven structure comprising fibers; and exposing the nonwoven structure to an atmospheric plasma comprising an inert gas and a substance having a polar group and which can be vaporized or made into an aerosol and which forms a free radical upon exposure to a dielectric barrier discharge is provided. Also provided are nonwoven structures produced thereby and articles containing the nonwoven structures.