Surface Chemical Analysis of Sulfur Black 1 Dyed Cotton Fabric Aftertreated with Cationic Fixing Agents

In this study, the relative effect of aftertreatments with two fixing agents (A and B) on the washfastness of C.I. Sulfur Black 1 dyed cotton fabric was evaluated using ISO 105-C09. The surface chemistry of untreated and aftertreated sulfur dyed cotton fabrics were studied by using X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The N(1s) XPS spectrum of fixing agent A aftertreated fabric showed the concentration of uncharged and quaternary nitrogen species, while fixing agent B portrayed only uncharged nitrogen. Fixing agent A improved the washfastness of the dyed fabric to a greater extent than fixing agent B, owing to the presence of the quaternary nitrogen species. Improvement in the resistance to oxidation of the dye during domestic laundering was observed.