Investigation of an Eco-Friendly Acid Dyeing Process of Cotton Fabric

This research work is a new investigation to develop a chemical free and eco-friendly textile dyeing process to reduce environmental negative impact of textile industry. To improve cotton fabric affinity to acid dye, the former was pre-cationized with a quaternary amine salt. Preliminary tests showed that dyeing time, temperature and unison agent concentration were the main parameters influencing the acid dyeing process of pre-cationized cotton fabric. The optimal dyeing conditions were determined using the Response Surface Method (RSM). Factors that influence Color strength (K/S) and dyebath exhaustion were evaluated using factorial plots. Then, ANOVA system was used for variance experimental analysis and the response surface methodology was performed with statistical software tool Minitab 17. The fitting extend of the proposed mathematical model was evaluated according to the obtained coefficient R2, the adjusted R2 and the p-values. To assess the properties of free salts acid dyed cotton fabrics, morphological (MEB), mechanical and thermal (KAWABATA KES) characterization tests were carried out. Dyed samples showed an improved surface morphology compared to greige cotton one. Also, free chemicals dyed cotton samples had higher thermo-physiological comfort properties.