Natural dyeing mediated by atmospheric air pressure plasma treatment of polyester

What is it about?

Natural dyes are gaining more attention due to their non-toxic and eco-friendly nature. However, dyeing polyester with natural dyes has its limitations and is challenging to apply, as the polyester fabric does not respond to aqueous dyeing easily due to its hydrophobic nature as well as natural dyes require use of mordant, fixers and other chemicals for fixation onto the textile substrates. Even then polyester fabric dyed with natural dyes give lower color yield and color fastness, which have restricted their potential in the industrial-scale application. It is known that Plasma treatment has proven that to improve dye uptake of textiles, particularly as it can be used as an environmentally friendly approach. This paper addresses the effect of plasma treatment on surface modification of synthetic fabric polyester and its subsequent effects on their dyeing with different natural dyes- namely, Turkey Red, Lac, Turmeric and Catechu. The dyeability was further enhanced by the use of alum as mordant. The main focus is on the betterment of natural dyeing of polyester fabric using sustainable natural dyes resources for dyeing and to reduce wastewater contamination from the use of toxic additive chemicals for cleaner production.

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