Acrylic fibers are treated by nitrogen glow-discharge plasma to promote surface antistatic properties. The treated surfaces are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), specific surface area analysis (BET) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Plasma treatment is found to increase the surface roughness, to modify the nature and density of surface functionalities, and to drastically improve the wettability and antistatic ability of acrylic fibers. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.