An innovative study on dyeing silk fabrics by modified phospholipid liposomes

Abstract

Modified phospholipids from the commercial soybean lecithin were prepared via acetylation of the acetone insoluble fraction phosphatidylethanolamine.N‐Acetyl‐phosphatidylethanolamine was used to prepare liposomes for encapsulating anionic dyes (acid and reactive dyes) to be used in dyeing silk fabric. Size measurements of the liposomes showed that the maximum vesicle size was 36.61 nm for empty liposomes in comparison with 39.08 and 39.75 nm for acid dyes and 51.78 and 59.20 nm for reactive dyes. The efficiency of the micro‐encapsulated dyes to dye silk fabric has been investigated and compared with the conventional dyeing process using different parameters. It was confirmed that the acetylated acetone insoluble fraction liposome shows better encapsulation of the reactive dyes and achieves more dye uptake than the acid dyes. It was also found that fastness properties of dyed silk with micro‐encapsulated anionic dyes did not change significantly more than the conventional dyeing method. Reuse of the micro‐encapsulated dyebath produces low water pollution as the effluent is virtually colourless. As a result, the process is also economic and eco‐friendly.