A versatile dyeing approach for the high-performance fibers via surface modification of silane coupling agents

Abstract

The inert surface and high degree of crystallinity make it difficult for the coloration for the high-performance filaments. In this work, inspired by the amphipathic character of the silane coupling agent (KH570), it has been employed as an intermediary to connect the dyes and the filaments. Under a series of modification pH values, KH570 binding layer exhibits different performance on the filament surface. Combining several characterizations, it is suggested that at pH of 12, the condensed molecules grow to the colloidal particle size, endowing the modification solution with special viscosity character. Due to the lack of hydroxyl groups on the filaments surface, KH570 molecules cling to the filament by this physical adhesive force. Therefore, a uniform coating layer of KH570 can be observed on the filaments surface under a modification condition of pH 12. As expected, the dyeing results show that the pH12-modified sample has the best dye affinity, with the K/S peak value significantly increased ∼11 times compared to the unmodified one. Eventually, this activation technique has been applied to several types of high-performance filaments, and significant enhancement is also obtained for the K/S value, demonstrating the versatility of such dyeing approach.