Dyestuff-fibre interactions.

Area of Science:

• Textile Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Dyeing Technology

Background:

• Dye-fibre interactions dictate textile coloration and fastness properties.
• Non-covalent interactions (van der Waals, electrostatic, etc.) are common for acid, cationic, disperse, and direct dyes.
• Reactive dyes form covalent bonds, offering excellent wet fastness but posing environmental concerns due to salt usage and unfixed dye.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate alternative dyeing strategies for improved sustainability and performance.
• To explore methods for making hydrophilic fibres amenable to disperse dyeing.
• To understand the role of solvophobic and other interactions in novel dyeing systems.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of non-covalent dye-fibre interactions across various dye and fibre classes.
• Evaluation of reactive dyeing limitations and proposed modifications for environmental improvement.
• Development and testing of treatments to enable disperse dyeing of hydrophilic fibres like cotton, silk, and wool.

Main Results:

• Non-covalent interactions are prevalent, with reactive dyes forming covalent bonds.
• Reactive dyes face environmental challenges related to salt consumption and dye fixation.
• Promising experimental treatments are being developed to adapt hydrophilic fibres for disperse dye application.

Conclusions:

• Modifying cellulose or dye systems can mitigate environmental issues with reactive dyes.
• Adapting hydrophilic fibres for disperse dyeing offers a valuable alternative for hydrophobic dye classes.
• Further research into solvophobic and other interactions is crucial for advancing textile dyeing technologies.