Enhancement of the dyeability and antibacterial properties of cotton fabric by plasma assisted cationization using chitosan and quaternized poly[bis(2-chloroethyl) ether-alt-1,3-bis[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]urea

Many chemicals such as sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, synthetic dyes, oxidants, mordanting and softening agents used in clothing manufacture play a significant role in the pollution of global water resources. In view of cleaner technology, this article reviewed the effect of plasma pre-treatment on the dyeability of cotton fabric using a cleaner salt-free process. Greige cotton fabric was treated with diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD) in air or nitrogen prior to the dyeing process. Three textile dyes are used in this work, reactive orange 16, direct red 81 and natural dye Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd. Chitosan (CS) and quaternized poly[bis(2-chloroethyl) ether-alt-1,3-bis[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]urea (PQ-2) were used as cationic polymers to substitute the salt. The effect of the different treatments on the properties of the textile samples and the dyeing process was evaluated using scanning electon microscopy (SEM), ATR-FTIR, tearing strength and colorimetric measurements. The levelness and fastness properties of the obtained cotton samples were also assessed. The treated samples showed interesting colorimetric values proving the enhancement of the dye uptake without the involvement of salt or harmful additives and exhibited significant antibacterial activity.