Possibilities of polymer‐aided dyeing of cotton fabric with reactive dyes at neutral pH

Water‐soluble polymers have versatile application, viz., water‐soluble polyacrylates have been widely used in the reactive dyeing of cellulosic fibers and the related soaping as an important component of the leveling and washing agent. In this article, one such water‐soluble polymer, polyacrylic acid has been synthesized, characterized, and applied in conjunction with various types of reactive dyes, namely triazinyl, vinyl sulfone, high exhaustion, and bifunctional reactive dyes, along with crosslinking agents, namely glycerol 1,3‐dichlorohydrin and hexamethylene tetramine‐hydroquinone, respectively. One of the crosslinking agents (the former one) has been synthesized in the laboratory. Crosslinking agent is necessary to adhere the dye molecule onto the cellulose macromolecule. Different process sequences have been formulated and explored for dyeing purpose. All such dyeings were carried out at neutral pH. The dyed samples were assessed through color strength in terms of K/S values and their fastness properties were assessed by standard methods. All such dyeings were compared with conventional dyed samples. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Telechelic PEG-polymers end-capped with chromophores: Using as cationic reactive dyes and salt-free dyeing properties on cotton fabrics

In this article, telechelic polymers containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) moieties as space groups were combined with chromophores to synthesize cationic reactive dyes (BCD-R, BCD-Y, and BCD-B). The salt-free dyeing performance of these telechelic polymeric cationic reactive dyes on cotton fabrics was evaluated. The exhaustion and fixation of the dyes in salt-free dyeing was above 89.33 and 77.22%, respectively. The color fastness of dry rubbing for the three dyes reached grade 4–5, and their color fastness to light reached grade 5–6. Their washing fastness also reached grade 4–5, except for that of BCD-Y (grade 3–4). The results showed that the dyes possessed good leveling and build-up properties and substantivity to cellulose fiber. The zeta potential (ξ-potential) of dyed fabric was estimated, and it was found that the ξ-potential of the fabrics increased after dying with telechelic polymeric cationic reactive dyes, and the more dye that was used, the greater ξ-potential increase. The exhaustion curves of dyes were also determined, and they were much different from those of anionic reactive dyes. The adsorption kinetics and isotherms of BCD-R were investigated. It was found that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model gave the best fit of the experimental data at all three tested dyeing temperatures (25, 45, and 65°C) with R² values over 0.998. Both the Langmuir and Freundlich models could be used to describe the adsorption of BCD-R onto cellulose fibers and the Langmuir model fit the experimental data better than the Freundlich model. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔS, ΔH, and activation energy) of the dye adsorption process were researched further. The results indicated that the adsorption of BCD-R onto cotton fibers was spontaneous and exothermic and that after adsorption onto the cotton fibers, the degree of freedom of the dye decreased.     

Multifunctional anionic cotton dyeings

Anionic cotton dyeings with anti‐ultraviolet and antibacterial functions were prepared by the post‐treatment of direct and reactive cotton dyeings with a zirconium oxychloride salt solution. The extent of improvement in the functional properties was governed by the structure and pretreatment history of the knitted cotton fabric, the kind and concentration of the anionic dye, and the dyeing regime. The chelation and fixation of the positively charged zirconium ions onto and/or within the dyed substrate resulted in an enhancement in the ultraviolet absorption capacity of the treated substrate and interaction with the thiol groups of the cellular protein; this imparted antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria without adverse effects on the hue of the obtained dyeings. Both the anti‐ultraviolet and bacterial functions of the post‐treated dyeings survived through 15 washing cycles. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Effect of swelling and reactive dyeing on the accessibility of cotton to cellulase enzymes

The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of intracrystalline and intercrystalline swelling agents and reactive dyes on the accessibility of cotton cellulose to commercial cellulase enzymes. Both types of swelling agents improved the accessibility, and intracrystalline swelling agents showed better results, as the accessibility to difficult‐to‐reach crystalline regions was increased. As expected, the reactive dyes inhibited the accessibility of the enzymes to some extent. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Urea/alkali-free printing of cotton with reactive dyes

Urea reduction or elimination in reactive dye print pastes is of ecological interest. Sodium edetate is presented as a complete substitution of urea in the conventional print paste of reactive dyes, namely CI Remazol Black B and Remazol Brilliant Orange 3R using a constant amount of sodium alginate as the thickening agent. Three different print pastes containing urea/NaHCO₃, sodium edetate/NaHCO₃ and sodium edetate were thoroughly investigated. Different factors that may affect the printability of cotton, such as the concentrations of sodium edetate, urea, dye, absence or presence of alkali and steaming time in the prints obtained were evaluated with respect to the dye fixation, colour strength, dye penetration, levelling and the fastness properties. Excellent to good fastness was obtained for all samples irrespective of the print paste used.     

Preparation of fluorescent pigment latex and its application on binder‐free printing of cotton fabrics

The recognized disadvantages of pigment printing are the stiff hand feel owing to the large particle size of the binder and pigments and the crosslinked binder introducing rigidity. In the current study, fluorescent pigment latex (FPL) was prepared via mini‐emulsion polymerization and further applied on cotton fabric printing in the absence of binder. The mini‐emulsions were prepared by dispersing the fluorescein in the monomers methyl methacrylate (MMA) and butyl acrylate (BA) with DNS‐86 as emulsifier, hexadecane as co‐emulsifier, and ammonium persulfate as initiator. The Fourier‐transform infrared‐attenuated total refraction, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis showed that the fluorescein was successfully encapsulated into P(MMA‐co‐BA) and the polymer content was 91.22%. The surface morphology study revealed that compact and smooth film was formed onto the surface of FPL printings, which resulted in better hand feel and rubbing fastness as compared to the conventional printings with a large amount of binder. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45826.     

Synthesis and applied properties of carboxymethyl cornstarch

In this article, carboxymethyl starch (CMS) with a high degree of substitution (0.91) and a high viscosity was synthesized by optimized reaction conditions, and its structure and surface morphology were analyzed by IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results of this application study show that CMS exhibited excellent printing behavior. CMS could substitute for 60% sodium alginate when it was used as a thickening agent in the printing paste of reactive dyes; therefore, the cost was greatly reduced. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3016–3020, 2003     

Spectroscopic study of interactions between model direct dyes and cotton

Although examined for years, interactions between direct dyes and the chemical structure of cotton cellulose remain an interesting, and still not entirely known, chemical phenomenon occurring in the fiber. Ten model azo dyes have been studied in aqueous solution, as dye powders and on cotton fabric using ¹³C MAS NMR and UV–visible spectroscopy. NMR spectroscopy indicates that model azo dyes, especially dye 8, interact by π‐stacking at the central biphenyl group, and that there is hydrogen bonding with cellulose. Model azo dyes are present as the azo or hydrazone tautomer. The UV–visible λ_max indicate that shifts are attributed to adsorption of model azo dyes into cellulose surfaces. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 758–766, 2007     

Ink‐jet printing of cotton with natural dyes

Four natural dyes, annatto, cutch, pomegranate fruit rind, and golden dock, were used as colorants for the preparation of water‐based ink‐jet inks for digital textile printing. The physical and rheological properties (pH, conductivity, surface tension, and viscosity) of the inks were measured over a period of 90 days for the evaluation of ink stability and suitability for ink‐jet printing. The inks were found to be suitable and were used for the digital printing of cotton fabrics. The prints were subjected to wash, light, and rub fastness tests and colour measurements. Colour consistency and fastness results, especially after fixation, are comparable with those of synthetic dyes, which paves the way for the production of environmentally friendly ink‐jet inks using natural dyes for the digital printing of cotton through the formulation of suitable printing techniques.     

Mixture printing pastes from high substitued guar gum and alginates on reactive printing of viscose

The rheology of binary mixtures of two alginates and one carboxymethyl guar has been measured. Two reactive dyes were printed from pastes based on mixtures. The printing and the final print (color yield, levelness, and fabric stiffness) were assessed. Most of the mixtures reacted in accordance with the dye, and interacted especially with one of the dyes for which CMG was used. However, it is seen that mixture of CMG with alginates can be used in reactive printing. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 745–751, 2007     

Poly(vinyl alcohol) modified by KE reactive dyes as a novel proton‐exchange membrane for potential fuel‐cell applications

A new type of proton‐exchange membrane based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) modified KE reactive dyes (KE‐4BD) was prepared and evaluated as H⁺‐conducting polymer electrolytes. The effects of the content of KE‐4BD on the membrane H⁺ conductivity and water uptake were studied with an alternating‐current impedance technique and the method of weighing, respectively. Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscopy were used for the chemical and structural characterization of these membranes. With all of these properties, the optimal mass ratio between PVA and KE‐4BD was 1:0.5, and the resulting membrane exhibited a high proton conductivity (0.109 S/cm) at room temperature; this afforded a power density of 83.9 mW/cm² at 210.4 mA/cm² and an open‐circuit voltage of 810.8 mV. The PVA/KE‐4BD membranes showed a high oxidative stability in Fenton's reagent (3% H₂O₂ v/v, 2 ppm FeSO₄). Thermal analysis also showed that the membranes exhibited a significant improvement in thermal stability. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43019.     

Removal of basic dyes from aqueous solutions with sulfonated phenol–formaldehyde resin

In this study, we aimed to investigate the removal of basic dyes, including Safranin T (ST), Nile Blue A (NBA), and Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB), from aqueous solution with a sulfonated phenol–formaldehyde resin. This sulfonated resin was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The adsorption properties of this resin were investigated under different adsorption conditions with different initial dye concentrations, contact times, and pH values. The adsorption equilibrium data were analyzed with Langmuir and Freundlich models. The adsorption behaviors of ST, NBA, and BCB onto the sulfonated resol‐type phenol–formaldehyde resin were better described by the Freundlich model. The adsorption capacities of the sulfonated resol resin for ST, NBA, and BCB decreased in the following order: NBA > BCB > ST. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Effects of a pretreatment with N‐methylmorpholine‐N‐oxide on the structures and properties of ramie

To improve the dyeing properties of ramie, the ecofriendly organic solvent N‐methylmorpholine‐N‐oxide (NMMO) was used to substitute sodium hydroxide as a ramie‐fiber swelling solvent. Through padding and baking pretreatment, ramie fabric was modified by an NMMO aqueous solution. Ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry were used to investigate the effects of NMMO pretreatment on the structure of the ramie, whereas the color strength (K/S, where K is the light absorption coefficient and S is the scattering coefficient), adsorption isotherm, and dye uptake rate curve were measured to investigate the effects of NMMO pretreatment on the dyeing properties of the ramie. The results show that the ramie fiber experienced a limited and irreversible swelling because of the partial breakage of interhydrogen and intrahydrogen bonds of cellulose molecules in the amorphous area, but the crystal and chemical structure of the ramie fiber did not change obviously under the experimental conditions. The K/S value of the NMMO‐modified ramie fabrics dyed with reactive dyes increased by about 100%, and the dye uptake increased by 27.88% compared to that of the raw sample, whereas the standard affinity and diffusion coefficient value of the reactive dyes on the NMMO‐modified ramie fabric were higher than those of the raw ramie fabric. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Dyeing properties of Bombyx mori silks grafted with methyl methacrylate and methacrylamide

To improve their dyeing and colorfastness properties, degummed Bombyx mori silks were chemically modified by a grafting technique with either methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer or methacrylamide (MAA) monomer. Both commercial synthetic dyes, that is, acid and basic dyes, and natural dyes extracted from turmeric, without and with potassium aluminum sulfate mordant, were used in this study. Percentage dye uptake increased with the presence of poly(methyl methacrylate) or polymethacrylamide in the silk fibroin structure regardless of the types of the dyestuffs. Furthermore, compared to the degummed silk, the colorfastness to washing of the MMA‐grafted and MAA‐grafted silks dyed with acid, basic, and curcumin dyestuffs were greatly improved. Colorfastness to both acid and basic perspirations with acid and basic dyestuffs was slightly improved, whereas perspiration fastness remained unchanged for curcumin dyeing without and with the presence of the mordant. Also, the low‐light resistances of the degummed and grafted silks dyed by curcumin dyestuff were notably improved by the MMA and MAA grafting technique. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100:1169–1175, 2006     

Dry transfer printing of silk and cotton with reactive dyes and mixed polysaccharide thickeners

Dry transfer technology involving adhesion and steaming was designed for the printing of untreated silk and cotton with reactive dyes. The transfer paper was prepared by coating mixed polysaccharide thickeners composed of adhesive high‐substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (H‐HPC) and another thickener, either sodium alginate (SA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), guar gum (SG‐9) or carboxymethyl starch (SG‐24). Patterns on the transfer paper were obtained by means of ink‐jet. The thermal plasticity of H‐HPC was observed and 120 °C was determined as the adhesion temperature. Rheological testing of all the thickeners verified that their shear‐thinning behaviour favoured successful coating. By comparing the effects of different mixed thickeners on the prints’ quality with regard to colour depth, sharpness, colour fastness and handle, it was concluded that the colour depth depended on the adhesion extent and reactivity between the thickener and reactive dye. Using H‐HPC/SA and H‐HPC/HEC produced the highest and lowest colour depths, respectively. The sharpness was visibly influenced by the different mixed thickeners. A clear pattern was achieved when the other thickener was CMC, SG‐9 or SG‐24. Both the colour fastness and handle were desirable, irrespective of the mixed thickeners used.     

Colloidal properties of copolymer‐encapsulated and surface‐modified pigment dispersion and its application in inkjet printing inks

A styrene–maleic acid copolymer (PSMA)‐encapsulated 2‐[(2‐methoxy‐4‐nitrophenyl) azo]‐N‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐oxobutyramide (PY74) dispersion was prepared by the phase‐separation technique. A surface‐modified PY74 dispersion was prepared with PSMA sodium as a dispersant by the milling method. Furthermore, the two dispersions were applied to formulate pigment inks. The colloidal properties of these two dispersions were compared. The printing and color performance of the prepared inks were also investigated. The results show that the PSMA‐encapsulated PY74 dispersion with a small particle size had higher stabilities of NaCl concentration, pH value, and temperature than the surface‐modified PY74 dispersion. The apparent viscosity of the PSMA‐encapsulated PY74 dispersion changed little, while it changed greatly in the surface‐modified PY74 dispersion with an increase of the shear rate from 10 to 100 s⁻¹. The ink printing and color performance of printed Fabrics indicated that the PSMA‐encapsulated PY74 dispersion was more suitable for the preparation of inkjet printing ink than the surface‐modified PY74 dispersion. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

The research progress in recording layer of the inkjet printing materials

Inkjet printing has become a prevailing printing technology due to its practicability and rapidity. The color inkjet printing as one of the inkjet printing has color comprehensive and high clarity compared with traditional printing. The key point of the color inkjet printing is the introducing of special recording layer which has great influence on the printing quality. However, the printing quality of the color inkjet printing depends on the compositions and performance of the recording layer and the infiltration behavior between the ink and the recording layer. Specially, the theoretical study of the infiltration behavior between the ink and the recording layer is the key to guiding the structural design. In this review, the types and compositions of the recording layer were clearly analyzed, the process and evaluation methods of ink infiltration and the performance evaluation system of the recording layer were also summarized. Ultimately, the current bottleneck and the development trend of the recording layer were put forward.     

Color management for enhancing the performance of superfine nylon ink jet printing with reactive dyes inks

The challenge for the inkjet printing textiles is that the colors reproduction quality of printed output is an accurate match to the original artwork. Actual evidence from art workers with digital print facilities reveals that they regularly encounter problems in this area. This article concerns the initial stages of an investigation into color accuracy in digitally printed superfine nylon under low temperature plasma pretreatment in order to get a accuracy and color‐increased superfine nylon digital prints. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 42, 346–351, 2017     

Antimicrobial activity of cotton fabrics treated with curcumin

Curcumin, a yellow pigment known to have various biological activities, was applied onto cotton as an antimicrobial agent. Curcumin could provide both color and antimicrobial activity to cotton and can be dyed using a batch or continuous process. However, curcumin and cotton have low affinity and therefore the ability of curcumin to impart durable antimicrobial activity on cotton needs to be studied. In this research, the ability of curcumin dyed onto cotton fabrics to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was studied. Relationships that can predict the rate of inhibition based on the curcumin concentration or shade depth (K/S values) were developed without the need for an antimicrobial test. Durability of antimicrobial activity to laundering and to light was also studied. Curcumin was more effective in inhibiting S. aureus than E. coli. The reduction of bacteria and durability of antimicrobial activity of curcumin to laundering was inferior on cotton fabrics compared with wool. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Dyeing of natural and synthetic textiles in supercritical carbon dioxide with disperse reactive dyes

Polyester, nylon, silk and wool were dyed with disperse reactive dyes in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂). The dyes were substituted with either vinylsulphone or dichlorotriazine reactive groups. Since earlier research showed that water, distributed over the scCO₂ and the textile, increased the colouration, experiments were done with the vinylsulphone dye with varying amounts of water in the dyeing vessel, to investigate if there is an optimum water concentration. The amounts were such, that no liquid water was present. The maximum colouration was obtained when both the scCO₂ and the textiles were saturated with water. At the saturation point, deep colours were obtained with the vinylsulphone dye for polyester, nylon, silk and wool, with fixation percentages between 70 and 92% when the dyeing time was 2 h. The positive effect of water was due to its ability to swell fibres or due to an effect of water on the reactivity of the dye–fibre system. Also the dichlorotriazine dye showed more colouration when the scCO₂ was moist. With this dye, experiments were conducted in water-saturated scCO₂, varying the pressure from 225 to 278 bar and the temperature from 100 to 116 °C. The colouration of polyester increased with pressure, the results for silk and wool were not sensitive to pressure. Increasing the temperature had no influence on the dyeing of polyester, silk and wool. The fixations on polyester, silk and wool, being between 71 and 97%, were also independent of pressure and temperature.