Enhanced dyeability of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/organoclay nanocomposite filaments

This study deals with the generation of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/organoclay nanocomposite filaments by the melt‐spinning method and with the investigation of their morphological and dyeing properties. Different montmorillonite types of clay (Resadiye and Rockwood) were modified using different intercalating agents, and poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanocomposite filaments containing 0.5 and 1 wt% organoclays were prepared. Afterwards, the filaments were dyed with two disperse dyes (Setapers Red P2G and Setapers Blue TFBL‐NEW) at different temperatures (100, 110, and 120 °C) in the absence/presence of a carrier. Organoclays and poly(ethylene terephthalate)/organoclay nanocomposites showed an increased d‐spacing between clay layers. Irrespective of clay and surfactant type, poly(ethylene terephthalate)/organoclay nanocomposite filaments dyed at 120 °C in the presence of only a very small amount of carrier showed appreciable dyeability in comparison with neat poly(ethylene terephthalate). The dyeability of the organoclay‐containing poly(ethylene terephthalate) samples was found to be better in spite of having increased degrees of crystallinity. Moreover, the colour fastness properties of the clay‐containing samples were not affected adversely.     

One-bath dyeing of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/cotton blends with alkali-clearable azo disperse dyes containing a fluorosulphonyl group

Monoazo disperse dyes containing a fluorosulphonyl group, based on 4-amino-4'-fluorosulphonylazobenzene derivatives, were dyed on poly(ethylene terephthalate)/cotton blends and their dyeing and fastness properties investigated. A one-bath dyeing method was used, as these dyes can be alkali cleared in the same bath. In particular, the cross-staining of cotton was studied in order to assess their suitability for the one-bath dyeing of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/cotton blends.     

Dyeing and fastness properties of phthalimide‐based alkali‐clearable azo disperse dyes on poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The properties of a series of phthalimide‐containing azo disperse dyes and azo dyes with N‐methyl phthalimide moieties in their diazo component were investigated and compared when used to colour polyethylene terephthalate. The N‐substitution of the phthalimide gave a hypsochromic effect on the colour change and better colour yields on poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabrics, probably because of the electron‐donating property of the methyl group and the higher hydrophobicity of phthalimide‐containing azo dyes compared with those containing phthalimide moieties. The results show that phthalimide‐based azo disperse dyes have excellent dyeing fastness properties and that high wash fastness can be achieved using alkali clearance. This alternative clearance method is important for reducing the environmental impact of the dyeing process by replacing reductive clearing and, in particular, by removing the need for sodium hydrosulphite, which creates a high biological oxygen demand when released in conventional disperse dyeing effluent and which generates aromatic amines.     

Evaluation of colour fastness and thermal migration in softened polylactic acid fabrics dyed with disperse dyes of differing hydrophobicity

This paper addresses the relative effects of softeners having different properties and their method of application (exhaust vs pad) on the colour fastness of poly(lactic acid) fabrics dyed with a range of disperse dyes with different levels of hydrophobicity. A comparison was made with a correspondingly finished polyethylene terephthalate fabric. Possible relationships between the levels of hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the dye, and softener, and the colour fastness were explored. Finally, the amount of dye thermally migrated into the finish on the softened poly(lactic acid) and polyethylene terephthalate fabrics was examined in comparison with their colour fastness. Softened poly(lactic acid) fabrics dyed with CI Disperse Red 167.1 exhibited more thermal migration, and hence lower colour fastness, than the corresponding polyethylene terephthalate fabrics. Conversely, softened poly(lactic acid) fabrics dyed with Dianix Deep Red SF exhibited less thermal migration, and hence better colour fastness, than the corresponding polyethylene terephthalate fabrics. Overall, no clear relationship was found between the hydrophobic nature of the disperse dye and the hydrophobic character of the softener on the colour fastness.     

Preferred alkaline reduction-clearing conditions for use with dyed Ingeo poly(lactic acid) fibres

A short study has been conducted to examine the efficiency of different alkaline reduction-clearing conditions on Ingeo [poly(lactic acid)] fibres, dyed with disperse dyes. The results indicate that the preferred conditions are 15 min at 60 °C in the presence of 2 g/l sodium carbonate and 2 g/l 'hydros', conditions which avoid any significant change of shade by colour loss and lead to optimised wash fastness.     

The roles of polymer relaxation phenomena,aqueous dye solubility and the physical properties of water in the mechanism of adsorption of a disperse dye on poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres: Part 4 further aspects related to polymer relaxation phenomena

To further investigate the contribution of polymer relaxation times to the mechanism of disperse dye adsorption on poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres, the temperature-dependent uptake of Teratop Yellow HL-G 150% on both cotton and polyamide 66 fabrics at temperatures between 30 and 130°C was compared with that on poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabric. Although uptake of the commercial grade dye on polyester fabric is governed by the thermally regulated, broad glass transition of the water-saturated poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrate, as this was not observed for either cotton or nylon 66 fabrics, the respective cellulose or polyamide 66 polymer glass transition does not present a major thermal impediment to dye uptake over the wide range of dyeing temperatures used. This is because the onset and end-set temperatures of the glass transition of the water-plasticised poly(ethylene terephthalate) material reside within the range of dyeing temperatures employed, whereas those of the water-plasticised cotton and polyamide materials occur below the lowest dyeing temperature examined (30°C). The thermal dependency of disperse dye solubility also likely makes a meaningful contribution to the temperature-dependent dye uptake observed for each type of fibre.     

Organoclays assisted vat and disperse dyeing of poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanocomposite fabrics via melt spinning

Polyethylene terephthalate nanocomposites containing six modified montmorillonite nanoclays were prepared by a melt compounding technique. The effect of intercalated compounds of montmorillonite on textile mechanical properties of resultant polyethylene terephthalate nanocomposite fabrics was investigated. Winding was not possible, when the polymers were first compounded with the desired amount of montmorillonite and then spun, as filament breakage occurred. Spinable polymer were only obtained by mixing polyethylene terephthalate master batches with 4 wt% montmorillonite, which contained tallow intercalating compound with pure untreated polyethylene terephthalate to a montmorillonite content of 0.5 wt%, thus decreasing the concentration of thermally degraded polymer chains. After spinning the fibres were drawn and knitted into fabric samples for further testing. The prepared polyethylene terephthalate nanocomposite fabrics using montmorillonite exhibited higher colour strength using vat and disperse dyes compared with those of the reference fabrics made from fibres spun without montmorillonite clay content and regular fabrics. The carbocyclic‐based vat dyes have higher colour strength values on polyethylene terephthalate nanocomposite fabrics if compared with heterocyclic‐based vat dyes. The colour fastness ratings for both vat and disperse dyeings secured very good to excellent washing and perspiration fastness on polyethylene terephthalate nanocomposite fabrics. All dyed fabrics showed excellent light fastness using vat and disperse dyes. The preparation of polyethylene terephthalate nanocomposite fabrics with improved textile mechanical and vat dyeing properties needs further investigations.     

Polyaniline/poly(ethylene terephthalate) conducting composite fabric with improved fastness to washing

In this article, we report a novel method for the design and development of a polyaniline (PANI)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) conducting composite fabric based on in situ polymerization. With the aim of improving fabric–PANI adhesion and good fastness to washing, we took some special steps: the alkali reduction pretreatment of the PET fabric before the polymerization of aniline onto the fabric, the introduction of squeezing the laboratory padder on the fabric to push the reagent into the inner part of the fabric, and short immersion time of the aniline‐absorbed fabric in oxidant solution. Factors affecting the conductivity and fastness to washing, including the alkali reduction percentage, the wet pickup of the reagent‐absorbed fabric, the immersion time in oxidant solution, and the reaction time, are discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 5775–5780, 2006     

The roles of polymer relaxation phenomena,aqueous dye solubility and the physical properties of water in the mechanism of adsorption of a disperse dye on poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres: Part 3 physical properties of water and water-derived fibre properties

In the absence of published information regarding the temperature dependency of water-derived poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibre properties, the findings reported for the thermally regulated interactions between water and 100% amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) materials were interpreted from the perspective of the amorphous domains that reside within semi-crystalline polyester textile fibres. This analysis suggests that the pronounced temperature dependent uptake of a commercial grade disperse dye on poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabric achieved during an aqueous dyeing process at temperatures between 30 and 130°C is the likely result of the combination of three separate, but inherently inter-related, thermally activated phenomena, namely, polymer structural relaxation, in which polymer glass transition assumes a dominant role, dissolution of disperse dye in the aqueous dyebath, as well as various water–fibre interactions, in the guise of water sorption, water molecule diffusivity, water-induced swelling and water-induced plasticisation. Although thermally regulated macromolecular relaxation processes adopt the principal role in dye uptake, temperature dependent dye solubility and water-derived fibre properties nevertheless likely provide crucially important supportive roles.     

Polyester nanocomposite fibers: comparison of their properties with poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (II)

Summary Two polyester nanocomposites were synthesized, one with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and the other with poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT), by using organoclay. The in-situ interlayer polymerization method was used to disperse the organoclay in polyesters at different organoclay contents and at different draw ratios to produce monofilaments. The thermal stability and tensile mechanical properties increased with increasing organoclay content at a DR=1 . However, the values of the tensile mechanical properties of the hybrid fibers decreased with increasing DR. The reinforcing effects of the organoclay of the PET hybrid fibers were higher than those of the PTT hybrid fibers.     

Powdered poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The influence of the conditions of preparation on the properties of powdered poly(ethylene terephthalate) was followed from the point of view of its specific surface. The powdered poly(ethylene terephthalate) prepared by reprecipitation from the melt of 6-caprolactam has a porous and structured surface, and consequently, also a large specific surface in comparison with the powedered poly(ethylene terephthalate) prepared by mechanical milling. The specific surface value is influenced by the cooling rate of the initial homogeneous melt of poly(ethylene terephthalate)-6-caprolactam, by the concentration of poly(ethylene terephthalate) in this melt and by its molecular weight, by the water temperature at the extraction of 6-caprolactam from the tough mixed melt, by the drying temperature of the powdered poly(ethylene terephthalate), and by the content of residual 6-caprolactam in the powdered product. In the examined area, the specific surface value of the powdered poly(ethylene terephthalate) prepared by reprecipitation from the melt of 6-caprolactam ranged from 10 to 110 m²·g^?1.     

Dispersant‐free dyeing of poly(lactic acid) fabric with temporarily solubilised disperse dyes from azopyridone derivatives

Poly(lactic acid) fibre is derived from annually renewable crops and known to be 100% compostable. In order to extend its environmental friendliness into the dyeing process, dispersant‐free dyeing of poly(lactic acid) fabric with three temporarily solubilised azo disperse dyes based on hydroxypyridone moiety containing a β‐sulphatoethylsulphonyl group was investigated. The dyes were successfully applied to poly(lactic acid) fabric without the use of dispersants. The colour yields of the dyes on poly(lactic acid) fabric were observed to be dependent on dyebath pH and dyeing temperature. The optimum results were obtained at pH 4–5 and 110 °C. One of the dyes showed a colour yield as good as that of a commercial disperse dye and good build‐up on poly(lactic acid) fabric. All of the dyes could be alkali cleared owing to ionisation of the dye under mild alkaline conditions. Wash fastness was good to very good, and light fastness was good. The chemical oxygen demand levels of the poly(lactic acid) dyeing effluent from the dyes were considerably lower than those from a commercial disperse dye.     

Dyeing of poly(lactic acid) fibres with synthesised novel heterocyclic disazo disperse dyes

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is the first melt‐processable, renewable, sustainable and biodegradable natural‐based synthetic fibre. It has a broad range of uses and combines ecological advantages with outstanding performance in textiles. PLA fibre, as an aliphatic polyester, can be dyed with disperse dyes. Apart from the limited number of commercial disperse dyes, disperse dye exhaustion on PLA is generally lower than that on  poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). In this study, new heterocyclic disazo disperse dyes, substituted with methyl, nitro and chloro groups at their ortho‐, meta‐ and para‐ positions, synthesised in our previous study, were applied to PLA and PET fibres to examine their dyeing performance, and colour fastness and dye exhaustion properties. Different shades of yellow, orange, reddish brown and brown were obtained. Most of the synthesised novel heterocyclic disazo disperse dyes exhibited good build‐up properties with high K/S levels on both fibres. Para‐ bonding substituent provided higher K/S values than meta‐ and ortho‐ positions for –NO₂ and –Cl substituents for both fibres. Overall, the most synthesised novel heterocyclic disazo disperse dyes in this study exhibited good build‐up properties with high K/S, exhaustion and wet fastness levels on both PLA and PET fibres.      

Vinyl graft polymerization-induced modification of some properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabric

Polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and acrylic acid (AA)/styrene (St) mixtures with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabric to different polymer add-ons was performed. Moisture regain, dyeability, and soiling properties of the modified PET were examined. It was found that introduction of poly(GMA) in PET structure brings about (a) improved moisture regain, (b) enhanced dyeing with disperse dyes, (c) affinity and possible dyeing with acid, direct, and reactive dyes, (d) improved aqueous and nonaqueous oily soil resistance, and (e) decreased ease of soil removal. The magnitude of moisture regain, dyeability, and soiling properties are dependent upon the percent of polymer add-on. Polymerization of MMA with PET improved the dyeability of the latter with the disperse dye as well as its resistance to nonaqueous oily soil while decreasing the resistance to aqueous soiling and ease of both aqueous and nonaqueous soil removal. In the case of PET polymerized with poly(AA/St), there was a considerable enhancement in moisture regain, dyeing with the disperse dye, and resistance to aqueous and non-aqueous oily soiling. On the other hand, both aqueous and nonaqueous soil characteristics of PET were imparted by polymerization of the latter with AA/St mixtures.     

Radiation grafting of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibre,II. Hydrolysis of grafted poly(vinyl acetate) to poly(vinyl alcohol)

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres grafted with poly(vinyl acetate) by γ-radiation were hydrolysed under alkaline and acidic conditions in order to obtain poly(ethylene terephthalate)-graft-poly(vinyl alcohol) fibres. In alkaline media poly(ethylene terephthalate) degraded without appreciable conversion of acetate to hydroxyl groups. During acid hydrolysis no change in tensile properties of the fibres was observed up to an extent of 50% conversion of acetate to hydroxyl groups. Further change in the tensile strength and the elongation at break was attributed partly to the grafted poly(vinyl acetate)/poly(vinyl alcohol) balance and partly to the loss due to degradation of the fibres.     

Synthesis,spectral and dyeing properties of phenylazopyrazolone‐containing acylamide disperse dyes designed for poly(lactic acid)

A series of phenylazopyrazolone disperse dyes containing an acylamide moiety were synthesised from carboxyl‐containing acid dyes via chlorination and amidation with different sorts of amines. The structures of these new dyes were confirmed by Fourier Transform–infrared, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Their solvatochromic properties in different solvents were also investigated and the absorbance spectra of the acylamide dyes in solution exhibited a red shift when dissolved in dimethylformamide, compared with acetone. Their dyeing behaviour, including dye sorption, colour build‐up and colour fastness properties on poly(lactic acid) fibres, was also determined, whereupon it was found that the tertiary acylamide dyes simultaneously exhibited high dye sorption and satisfactory colour build‐up and fastness properties on the poly(lactic acid) fabric.     

Improvement in poly(lactic acid) fabric performance via hydrophilic coating

The effects of a hydrophilic coating on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fabric using polyethylene glycol-dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (PEG-DMDHEU) were studied to obtain highly cross-linked polyethylene glycol (PEG) with acceptable fastness properties owing to the possibility of fixation PEG on the fibres surface at lower temperature than melting point of PLA fibres. PEG as a Phase Change Materials (PCMs) imparts thermal adaptability, which is so important for the comfort of textiles, to the substrate. While there is a good adhesion between the fibre and the PEG polymer for cotton and polyester fibres, polymer adhesion to PLA fibres and its effects on PLA fabrics have never been studied. The effect of hydrophilic coating on the PLA fabric was studied in comparison to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabric by measuring the thermal regulating effect, antistatic, air permeability, and mechanical properties. The results exhibit the possibility of multipurpose finishing on both fabrics samples leading to permanent thermal regulating effect and durable antistatic finish.     

Studies on the ultrasonic‐assisted dyeing of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fabric

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fabric was dyed with Disperse Red FB by using ultrasonic power. The effects of ultrasound on the K/S values of the fabric, the fibre structure and the disperse dye were investigated. The results show that the ultrasonic power increases the K/S values of the fabric, disintegrates the large particles of oligomer on the surface of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fibre into smaller ones and reduces the particle size of the dye in solution. The K/S value of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fabric dyed using ultrasound is much higher than that without ultrasound, especially when the temperature is over 60 °C. In addition, the adsorption isotherm study shows that the adsorption isotherm can be well fitted by the Langmuir model.     

The characterisation of dope dyed poly (ethylene terephthalate)

By analysing the polycondensation of ethylene glycol with dimethyl terephthalate, the influence of 1,4-aminoanthraquinone dyestuffs on the chemical and molecular properties of dope dyed poly(ethylene terephthalate) has been determined. The results show that dope dyed poly(ethylene terephthalate) differs from the uncoloured polymer by a possession of a higher amount of -COOH end groups and diethylene glycol units. The shape and the position of molecular weight distribution curves determined by gel permeation chromatography are also influenced by the soluble dyestuffs used.     

Supramolecular structures and dyeing properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) industrial yarns for seat‐belt webbings

The effects of spinning conditions and additives on the physical and dyeing properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) industrial yarns were investigated by analysing their supramolecular structures. Four poly(ethylene terephthalate) yarns for seat‐belt webbing were prepared with different formulations and under different spinning conditions. Instrumental characterisation of the internal morphologies and physical properties confirmed that the structural characteristics are influenced by the draw ratio, heat‐setting temperature and copolymer added, and that there are close correlations between the supramolecular structure and the physical and dyeing properties. In particular, the draw ratio was the most dominating factor, influencing both the mechanical properties and the dyeability.