SUSTAINABLE DYEING OF MODIFIED COTTON FABRIC WITH REMAZOL DYES IN THE ABSENCE OF SALT AND ALKALI

This research work investigates the chemical modification of cotton cellulose with a cationizing agent (CHPTAC, 3-chloro-2-hydroxylpropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride), which resulted in the enhanced dye uptake and increased color strength (K/S) on the dyed cotton fabric in the absence costly auxiliaries, such as sodium chloride and sodium hydroxide. The modified and unmodified cotton fabric samples were dyed using the exhaust dyeing method on a high-temperature dyeing machine with several reactive dyes of the Remazol class in different shade depths. The dyed samples were washed, dried and tested for K/S and colorfastness properties (washing, rubbing, and light), using standard test protocols. The results revealed that the color strength and the colorfastness properties of the modified dyed cotton fabric were significantly better than those of unmodified cotton. Thus, this study attempted a sustainable approach in cotton dyeing without using salt and alkali.