Cetylpyridinium chloride cationic finishing improves the dyeing and antibacterial properties of madder dyed cotton

In this work, after cationic pretreatment of cotton fabric with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), the compound of citric acid (CA) and succinic acid (SUA) were used as crosslinking agents to dye cotton fabrics with natural madder dye to improve the dyeing and antibacterial properties and realise the multifunctional finishing of cotton fabric. The effects of mordant dyeing, CA + SUA crosslinked dyeing, and CPC/CA + SUA crosslinked dyeing on the microstructure and properties of cotton fabrics were compared. The dyeing by the three processes occurred primarily in the amorphous zone of the fibres, and all kept the original crystalline form of the cotton. CA + SUA crosslinked dyeing and CPC/CA + SUA crosslinked dyeing increased the thermal stability of the cotton fabric. CPC/CA + SUA crosslinked dyed cotton obtained excellent dyeing results with the colour depth value (K/S) of 12.3 and rubbing fastness and washing fastness of levels 4–5, and the levelness and dye permeability were acceptable. Furthermore, the antibacterial rate against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus reached 99.99%, and the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) reached 50+. Moreover, the wrinkle recovery angle (WRA) increased by 55% compared with raw cotton. This showed that CPC/CA + SUA crosslinked dyed cotton had excellent antibacterial, anti-ultraviolet, and anti-wrinkle performances.