Using atmospheric pressure plasma for enhancing the deposition of printing paste on cotton fabric for digital ink-jet printing

Atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) treatment was applied as a pretreatment process to enhance the deposition of printing paste in order to improve the final colour properties of digital ink-jet printed cotton fabrics. Three printing pastes containing natural polymers, i.e. (1) sodium alginate, (2) chitosan and (3) sodium alginate-chitosan mixture, were prepared separately. After APP treatment, cotton fabric was padded with different printing pastes prior to digital ink-jet printing. Experimental results showed that APP pretreatment could increase the colour yield of the digital ink-jet printed cotton fabric significantly even after washing. In addition, other properties such as colour fastness to crocking, colour fastness to laundering, outline sharpness and anti-bacterial properties were also improved when compared with those of the control cotton fabric printed without APP pretreatment. However, the influence of printing paste on the colour properties of the digital ink-jet printed cotton fabrics depended very much on the composition of the printing paste. The scanning electron microscope images evidenced that the APP treatment could enhance the deposition of printing paste on the cotton fabric surface as proved qualitatively by both the contact angle and wetting time measurement as well as quantitatively by both the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and carboxyl group/nitrogen content analysis.     

Natural Dyeing of Modified Cotton Fabric with Cochineal Dye

Natural dyes are not harmful to the environment owing to their biodegradability. For dye application to textiles, salts are necessary as mordant or electrolytes and make an environmental impact. In this paper, the influence of cationization during mercerization to the dyeing of cotton fabric with natural dye from Dactylopius coccus was researched. For this purpose, bleached cotton fabric as well as fabric cationized with Rewin OS was pre-mordanted using iron(II) sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO₄·7H₂O) and dyed with natural cochineal dye with and without electrolyte addition. For the characterization of surface changes after cationization, an electrokinetic analysis on SurPASS was performed and compared to pre-mordanting. For determination of dye exhaustion, the analysis of dye solution was performed on a UV/VIS spectrophotometer Cary 50 Solascreen. Spectrophotometric analysis was performed using a Datacolor 850 spectrophotometer, measuring remission ”until tolerance” and the whiteness degree, color parameters, color depth (K/S), and colorfastness of dyed fabric were calculated. Levelness was determined by visual assessment. Cationized cotton fabrics showed better absorption and colorfastness. Pre-mordanting and cationization showed synergism. The electrolytes improved the process of dye absorption. However, when natural dyeing was performed on cotton fabric cationized during mercerization, similar chromacity, uniform color, and colorfastness were achieved with and without electrolyte, resulting in pure purple hue of cochineal. For achieving a violet hue, pre-mordanting with Fe-salt was needed. Therefore, salt can be reduced or even unnecessary, which makes this process of natural dyeing more environmentally friendly.     

Chemical cationization of cotton fabric for improved dye uptake

Cotton fabric is usually dyed with reactive dyes. During the dyeing process, a large amount of salt is required to achieve higher exhaustion of the dye from the dyebath onto the fiber. Dyeing of cotton with reactive dyes has a substantial environmental impact due to the discharge of a large volume of highly colored and saline effluents. Chemical cationization allows cotton fibers to be dyed without salt by chemically modifying cellulosic macromolecules to introduce positively charged sites. In this study, cotton fabric was cationized using (3-chloro-2-hydroxylpropyl) trimethyl-ammonium chloride (CHPTAC). Dye uptake was assessed using two reactive dyes, CI Reactive Blue 235 and CI Reactive Blue 19. Dye exhaustion kinetics were determined using a Datacolor-HueMetrix Monitor system. Analysis of variance demonstrated significant effects of CHPTAC concentration and exhaustion time on the percent exhaustion. Color strength at the end of the dyeing cycle was significantly higher for cationized fabrics compared to the control fabric. This work shows that treatment of cotton with CHPTAC enhanced dye uptake properties due to the introduction of cationic sites and resulted in superior dyeing without the addition of salt.     

High efficiency ultra-deep dyeing of cotton via mercerization and cationization

A potentially environmentally responsible dyeing procedure for ultra-deep shades on cotton was developed using a cationization method in combination with mercerization. The effects of both treatments on dyeing performance and colorfastness properties of cotton fabrics dyed with reactive dyes were analyzed individually and in combination. Both mercerization and cationization have been proved to be effective in increasing the depth of shade on cotton. The colorfastness properties, except colorfastness to wet crocking, of mercerized–cationized cotton fabrics dyed without salt were much better than untreated cotton dyed using a conventional dyeing procedure. Unlike untreated cotton fabrics, the concentration of Na₂CO₃ in the dyeing process of mercerized–cationized cotton fabrics was lowered from 20 to 5 g/L without compromising dye fixation and colorfastness properties. With low concentrations of dyes and Na₂CO₃ and no electrolyte in the dye bath effluent, the dyeing procedure of mercerized–cationized cotton fabrics for ultra-deep shades is potentially a more environmentally benign method than conventional dyeing with reactive dyes.     

Effect of cationization on adsorption of silver nanoparticles on cotton surfaces and its antibacterial activity

Cotton was cationized by exhaustion method using 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CHPTAC) as a cation-generating agent. Adsorption of silver nanoparticles on normal and cationized cotton was studied by exhaustion method at temperatures of 80°C and 100°C. Two exhaustion baths were used, containing nanosilver colloidal solutions stabilized by two different stabilizers and various concentrations of silver nanoparticles. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra of normal and cationized samples confirmed the existence of quaternary ammonium groups on cationized cellulose fibers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed that crystallinity of the modified cellulose fibers was decreased. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images revealed that the surface of the modified cotton was rougher than that of normal cotton. In addition, SEM images showed the presence of silver nanoparticles on the surface of treated fabric samples. The amount of silver particles adsorbed on the fabric samples was determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer. Antibacterial tests were performed against Escherichia coli bacteria as an indication of antibacterial effect of samples. Cationized cotton samples adsorbed more silver nanoparticles and then had greater ability to inhibit bacteria.     

Silk fabric dyed with extract of sophora flower bud

This study analysed the use of sophora flower bud extract for dyeing and the resulting colour character and fastness of dyed silk fabric. The pigment composition on the silk fabric and recycling of this extract were also studied. The results indicated that the dyed silk fabric possessed good washing, rubbing and perspiration fastness, and the pigment composition on the silk fabric was mainly rutin and quercetin. The average recovery rate of the dye was 55.00%. These results demonstrate that the sophora flower bud extract is an effective natural dye.     

表面化学接枝改性阻燃棉织物的制备与性能

采用高碘酸钠对棉织物表面进行选择性氧化生成醛基,选取乙二胺与醛基反应,通过膦氢化加成反应将阻燃剂亚磷酸二甲酯接枝到棉织物表面,最后通过三羟甲基三聚氰胺对棉织物表面进行接枝改性,制备了含三羟甲基三聚氰胺/乙二胺/亚磷酸二甲酯阻燃棉织物.通过傅里叶红外光谱（FTIR）对改性后棉织物的结构进行了表征,通过极限氧指数（LOI）测试研究了其阻燃性能,通过锥形量热测试研究了其燃烧行为,通过在40℃皂水中洗涤10次考察了其耐水性能,通过扫描电子显微镜测试了其表面及燃烧后炭层的形貌.研究结果表明,经表面改性后,棉织物的LOI值由（19.5±1.0）%提高到了（43.1±1.0）%,经耐水洗测试后,LOI值仅下降至（42.6±1.0）%,保持了非常好的阻燃性能,表明通过表面接枝方法制备的三羟甲基三聚氰胺/乙二胺/亚磷酸二甲酯阻燃棉织物具有非常好的耐水洗性能.表面阻燃改性提高了棉织物在燃烧过程中的成炭性能,形成的连续膨胀的炭层较好地保护了内部织物,抑制了织物的降解和燃烧,从而提高了棉织物的阻燃性能.     

“Nanosized latexes for textile printing applications obtained by miniemulsion polymerization”

We report the synthesis and design of aqueous monodisperse copolymer latexes by miniemulsion polymerization and their application as binders in pigment printing and ink-jet printing of cotton fabrics. For that purpose, miniemulsion radical polymerization was carried out with a high content of the soft butyl acrylate (BA) and a low content of the hard methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of hexadecane as osmotic costabilizer. The addition of small amounts of functional monomers such as methacrylic acid MAA and N-methylol acrylamide NMA to some miniemulsion recipes allowed to impart cross-linking sites and functionality to the copolymer chains. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), small angle neutron scattering (SANS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the particle size diameter and size distributions could be controlled in the range of 50 to 400 nm by the amount of SDS surfactant, while the presence of a costabilizer such as hexadecane determines the particle size and, to a lesser extent, the polydispersity of the obtained miniemulsion latex dispersions. The glass transition temperature of the different miniemulsion latexes ranged between ?14 and ?33 °C, depending on the monomer composition. Selected samples of these nanolatexes were then employed in textile printing. The miniemulsion binders with their uniform shape and smaller size have technological advantages over conventional processes for the pigment and ink-jet printing and yielded better printing properties in terms of softness, fastness, and color strength of the printed fabric. Accordingly, by optimized use of the miniemulsion method, one is not only able to control the particle size but also to improve the properties of these latexes for textile applications.     

Dyeing of Lyocell Fabrics with Pigment Dispersion Systems

Lyocell fabrics modified by cationic reagent were dyed with conventional and nanoscale pigment dispersions respectively. The color yield and fastness properties were measured. It is found that the color yield and fastness properties of the dyed lyocell fabrics are influenced by the cationic reagent concentration, the cationization pH, time, and temperature. It is also found that the nanoscale pigment system can give the lyocell fabric a higher K/S value but with lower rub and wash fastness. The wet abrasion time, which is used to indicate the fibrillation tendency of lyocell fabrics, was also measured after the cationization and pigment dyeing. The results show that the multifunctional cationic reagent and the pigment on the lyocell surface could increase the wet abrasion time but by different mechanisms.     

An attempt of improving polyester inkjet printing performance by surface modification using β‐cyclodextrin

To improve the sharpness and the color yield of polyester fabrics with water‐based pigment inkjet printing, surface modification was proceeded using β‐cyclodextrin and citric acid. Fabrics were modified in the solution of β‐cyclodextrin with the concentration 100g/L and citric acid 100g/L. The line width and image area of printed patterns, which could evaluate the printing performances, on the modified polyester fabric were decreased by 77% and 62% in comparison with that of the control, respectively. The color yield characterized by the K/S value was enhanced by 47%. Scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope images confirmed that the capillary effect was decreased and the surface roughness was increased after the surface modification. The microscope images of the printed patterns clearly showed that the sharpness and the color yield were improved. Thereby, β‐cyclodextrin modification offered a potential way to polyester pretreatment for pigment inkjet printing. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sol–gel coating of cellulose fibres with antimicrobial and repellent properties

Multifunctional, water and oil repellent and antimicrobial finishes for cotton fibres were prepared from a commercially available fluoroalkylfunctional water-born siloxane (FAS) (Degussa), nanosized silver (Ag) (CHT) and a reactive organic–inorganic binder (RB) (CHT). Two different application procedures were used: firstly, one stage treatment of cotton fabric samples by FAS sol (i), as well as by a sol mixture constituted from all three precursors (Ag–RB–FAS, procedure 1S) (ii), and secondly, two stage treatment of cotton by Ag–RB sol and than by FAS sol (Ag–RB + FAS, procedure 2S) (iii). The hydrophobic and oleophobic properties of cotton fabrics treated by procedures (i)–(iii) before and after consecutive (up to 10) washings were established from contact angle measurements (water, diiodomethane and n-hexadecane) and correlated with infrared and XPS spectroscopic measurements. The results revealed that even after 10 washing cycles cotton treated with Ag–RB + FAS (2S) retained an oleophobicity similar to that of the FAS treated cotton, while the Ag–RB–FAS (1S) cotton fibres exhibited a loss of oleophobicity already after the second washing, even though fluorine and C–F vibrational bands were detected in the corresponding XPS and IR spectra. The antibacterial activity of cotton treated by procedures (i)–(iii) was tested by its reduction of the bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus following the AATCC 100-1999 standard method and EN ISO 20743:2007 transfer method. The reduction in growth of both bacteria was nearly complete for the unwashed Ag–RB and Ag–RB–FAS (S1), but for the unwashed Ag–RB + FAS (S2) treated cotton no reduction of S. aureus and 43.5 ± 6.9% reduction of E. coli was noted. After the first washing, the latter two finishes exhibited nearly a complete reduction of E. coli but for the Ag–RB treated cotton the reduction dropped to 88.9 ± 3.4. None of the finishes retained antibacterial properties after 10 repetitive washings. The beneficial and long-lasting low surface energy effect of FAS finishes in the absence of Ag nanoparticles, which led to the “passive” antibacterial properties of FAS treated cotton fabrics, was established by applying the EN ISO 20743:2007 transfer method. The results revealed a reduction in bacteria of about 21.9 ± 5.7% (FAS), 13.1 ± 4.8% (Ag–RB–FAS (S1)) and 41.5 ± 3.7% (Ag–Rb + FAS (S2)), while no reduction of the growth of bacteria was observed for cotton treated with Ag nanoparticles after 10 repetitive washings. The physical properties (bending rigidity, breaking strength, air permeability) of finished cotton samples were determined, and showed increased fabric softness and flexibility as compared to the Ag–RB treated cotton, but a slight decrease of breaking strength in the warp and weft directions, while air permeability decreased for all type of finishes.     

Textile‐based Electrochemical Sensing: Effect of Fabric Substrate and Detection of Nitroaromatic Explosives

This study examines the influence of textile substrates upon the behavior of wearable screen‐printed electrodes and demonstrates the attractive sensing properties of these sensors towards the detection of nitroaromatic explosives. Compared to electrodes printed on common cotton or polyester substrates, GORE‐TEX‐based electrochemical sensors display reproducible background cyclic voltammograms, reflecting the excellent water‐repellant properties of the GORE‐TEX fabric. The wetting properties of different printed textile electrodes are elucidated using contact angle measurements. The influence of laundry washing and mechanical stress is explored. The GORE‐TEX‐based printed electrodes exhibit favorable detection of 2,4‐dinitrotoluene (DNT) and 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT) explosives, including rapid detection of DNT vapor.     

Preparation, characterization, and antimicrobial property of cotton cellulose fabric grafted with poly (propylene imine) dendrimer

Two generations of poly (propylene imine) dendrimer with amino terminated groups (G2- and G5-PPI-NH₂) were grafted on cotton cellulose fabric using cross linking agents (citric or glutaric acids). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identified ester groups which were formed between hydroxyl groups of the cotton fabric and carboxylic groups of the cross linking agents. Also, attenuated total reflectance-FTIR (ATR-FTIR) analysis confirmed formation of amide groups between the carboxylic groups of the cross linking agents and the amino end groups of the dendrimers. Nitrogen content (N-content) analysis revealed the presence of the dendrimers on the cotton fabric even after 5 washing cycles. In order to study the dispersion of the PPI dendrimers on the surface of the cotton fabric, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was performed. The particle size distribution of the G2- and G5-PPI-NH₂ aqueous solutions was also determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. Antimicrobial activity of the PPI dendrimer aqueous solutions and the cotton cellulose fabric grafted with the dendrimers was evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively against Gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) and fungus (Candida albicans). The dendrimer grafted cotton cellulose fabric exhibited a 99 % reduction in bacterial counts against S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans. The antimicrobial activities of the grafted cotton cellulose fabric with the PPI dendrimers were maintained even after 5 washing cycles.     

Simultaneous crosslinking and cationization of cotton cellulose by using dialdehyde and choline chloride: comparison between the pad-dry-cure and microwave irradiation process

Simultaneous crosslinking and cationization of cotton cellulose were carried out by using two dialdehydes, glyoxal (GO) and glutaraldehyde (GA), along with choline chloride (ChCl). Two heating methods, conventional pad-dry-cure (PDC) and microwave irradiation, were investigated and compared. The results revealed that two aldehyde molecules reacted very differently in the presence of ChCl under two different heating methods. GO reacted predominantly with the cellulose molecule, stimulating the crosslinking reaction and consequently resulting in high wrinkle recovery angle (WRA) values regardless of the heating process. Contrarily, GA favored the reaction with ChCl, allowing high K/S values with acid dye under microwave irradiation. The crosslinked and cationized cotton cellulose was only obtained by treatment with GA and ChCl under the PDC process, resulting in high WRA and K/S values. Characteristics of the treated fabrics were also evaluated by Fourier transform infrared analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, water of imbibition, and tensile strength test. Additionally, the treatments with GA and ChCl also provided high antimicrobial properties of the cotton celluloses; thereby most bacteria reductions of the specimens were close or equal to 99.9 %. Therefore, economically viable yet ecofriendly crosslinking and cationization of cotton cellulose could be made by treatment with GA and ChCl.     

Effect of alkali metal cationization and multiple alkali metal exchange on the collision-induced dissociation of loganic acid studied by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Under electrospray ionization conditions loganic acid undergoes alkali metal (Li, Na and K) exchange and alkali metal cationization. Multiple exchanges of up to four alkali metal ions are observed. Different populations of metal exchanged species are produced during electrospray ionization. Collision-induced dissociation of ammonium cationized species is compared with that of metal cationized species to study the effect of metal cationization. Glycosidic cleavage and ring cleavages of aglycone and sugar moieties are the major fragmentation pathways observed during collision-induced dissociation. The fragmentations of the highly metal exchanged species indicate the opening of the pyran ring. Collision-induced dissociation of the various metal exchanged and metal cationized species also reveals the nature of the different populations. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

N-halamine biocidal coatings via a layer-by-layer assembly technique

Two N-halamine copolymer precursors, poly(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl methacrylate-co-acrylic acid potassium salt) and poly(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl methacrylate-co-trimethyl-2-methacryloxyethylammonium chloride) have been synthesized and successfully coated onto cotton fabric via a layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique. A multilayer thin film was deposited onto the fiber surfaces by alternative exposure to polyelectrolyte solutions. The coating was rendered biocidal by a dilute household bleach treatment. The biocidal efficacies of tested swatches composed of treated fibers were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. It was determined that chlorinated samples inactivated both S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7 within 15 min of contact time, whereas the unchlorinated control samples did not exhibit significant biocidal activities. Stabilities of the coatings toward washing and ultraviolet light exposure have also been studied. It was found that the stability toward washing was superior, whereas the UVA light stability was moderate compared to previously studied N-halamine moieties. The layer-by-layer assembly technique can be used to attach N-halamine precursor polymers onto cellulose surfaces without using covalently bonding tethering groups which limit the structure designs. In addition, ionic precursors are very soluble in water, thus promising for biocidal coatings without the use of organic solvents.     

A novel approach for fixation of β-cyclodextrin on cotton fabrics

Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides, which form complexes with different organic substances such as drugs, odors, and etc. Due to the complexing abilities of cyclodextrins (CDs), they may also be used in textile industry as an auxiliary in washing, dyeing, and wastewater treatment. Fixation of CDs on textiles is possible using reactive derivatives of cyclodextrins or crosslinking agents. In this study we have investigated the use of polyaminocarboxylic acids (PACAs) as novel crosslinking agents for the fixation of β-CD on cotton fabrics. Fixation of β-CD on cotton fabric has been quantified by measuring the weight increase of the treated samples. The influence of the concentration of the catalyst (sodium hypophosphite) was studied, too. The presence of β-CD on the cotton has been investigated by the phenolphthalein test and host–guest complexation with organic volatile molecules: cyclohexene, chlorobenzene, cyclohexene-1-one and toluene.     

Decolourization of vat dyes on cotton fabric with infrared laser light

A method for the decolourization of coloured cotton fabric dyed with vat dyes, based on exposure to infrared laser light, has been tested. Pulsed CO₂ laser has been used for all experiments. To detect changes in colour shade, reflection data of original and dyed cotton irradiated at various fluency of infrared laser light were measured on a UV–VIS spectrophotometer, and then colour intensity was calculated for each vat dye. To observe changes in chemical composition and morphology of fiber surfaces, an analysis was performed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy due to thermal effects. Thermal stability of vat dyes and cotton fabric was determined with differential scanning calorimetry method to simulate the heating process during exposure of samples to the infrared laser irradiation.     

Effect of mercerization and gamma irradiation on the dyeing behaviour of cotton using stilbene based direct dye

The dyeing behaviour of mercerized and gamma irradiated cotton fabric using stilbene based direct dye has been investigated. The fabric was treated with different concentrations of alkali to optimize the mercerization. The optimum mercerized cotton fabric was irradiated to absorbed doses of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 kGy using Cs-137 gamma irradiator. Dyeing was performed using irradiated and un-irradiated cotton with dye solutions. The dyeing parameters such as temperature, time of dyeing, pH of dyeing solutions and salt concentration were optimized. The colour strength values of dyed fabrics were evaluated by comparing irradiated and un-irradiated cotton in CIE Lab system using Spectra flash SF650. Methods suggested by International Standard Organization (ISO) were employed to study the effect of gamma irradiation on the colourfastness properties of dyed fabric. It was found that mercerized and irradiated cotton have not only improved the colour strength but enhanced the rating of fastness properties also.     

Study on dispersion stability of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) blue pigment in water improved by plasma treatments

Oxygen plasma was used to modify the copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) blue pigment. It is effective in improving stability of CuPc pigment in aqueous dispersion. Treatment conditions, e.g., treating time, gas pressure and discharge power, had great influence on the surface properties of pigments. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the CuPc blue pigment surface was partially oxidized and polar groups including COH, COOH, C?O were incorporated. Dispersion stability of pigment in water was greatly increased. The plasma modified CuPc blue pigment was applied to on cotton fabric. Rubbing fastness and K/S value of the pigment prints were enhanced.