Effect of turmeric dye and biomordants on knitted cotton fabric coloration: A promising alternative to metallic mordanting

Abstract

Textile coloration using synthetic dyes is not eco-friendly and has detrimental impact on wearer skin. Hence, natural dye is assumed as a suitable alternative for sustainable textile manufacturing and coloration. In this study, we utilized Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) extract for cotton fabric dyeing. Additionally, biomordants (derived from Citrus lemon and Colocasia esculenta bulk) and metallic mordants (Potassium dichromate and Potash alum) pre-treatments were carried out to upturn the overall uptake of dyes into the fabric interior. The resulted color-strength (K/S) of biomordant pretreated sample was two times higher (K/S=8.6) than the metal mordanted sample (K/S=4.0). To investigate the fastness properties of dyed fabric varities, colorfastness to rub (dry and wet), wash, water, and perspiration test were performed and found superior result for bio-crosslinkers compared to metallic salts chelation. Futhermore, the visual uniformity and moisture absorption on the hue (h*) by the final dyed samples were also found excellent in both mordanted dyed fabrics. Thereby, this dyeing process propossed the viability of natural dyestuff with synthetic auxiliaries for facile cotton fabric coloration. Therefore, the utilization of Turmeric extract as a usefull dye source and Citrus lemon, Colocasia esculenta bulk extract as biomordant could reckon a positive insight for cleaner textile manufacturing and dyeing. • Mordants effect on colour strength and fastness properties of Turmeric dyes. • A potential and sustainable source of dyeing textile materials for better cleaner environments. • Citrus lemon juice, Colocasia esculenta bulk juice used as a Bio-mordants. • Dyed fabric shows comparatively better colour strength and colourfastness. • Better visual uniformity and moisture absorption during the use of Citrus lemon, Colocasia esculenta bulk juice.