Enhancing disperse printing and ultraviolet protecting of polyester-containing fabrics via pretreatment with chitosan/polyethylene glycol/dimethylol dihydroxyethylene urea

Pretreatment of polyester-containing fabrics with chitosan, polyethylene glycol along with N-methylol crosslinking agent (Arkofix® NDW, DMDHEU) in the presence of MgCl ₂ . 6H ₂ O/citric acid as a mixed catalyst was carried out for enhancing their printability with disperse dyes as well as upgrading their ultraviolet-protecting properties. The results showed that the changes in the depth of the obtained prints are governed by the type of substrate, chitosan concentration and steaming conditions. On the other hand, incorporation of polyethylene glycol in the pretreatment bath results in a remarkable improvement in the depth of the post-printed fabric samples. Scanning electron microscope images showed the presence of chitosan-based deposits firmly attached to the surface of the pretreated fabric samples. The mechanism of surface modification via loading of chitosan with its amino groups along with polyethylene glycol moieties onto and/or into the finish/fabric matrix was proposed.