Ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether applied to crosslinking dyeing of cotton fabric with madder dye

Abstract

AbstractCotton fabric dyed with natural madder dye exhibits poor dyeing properties. Although mordant improves the dyeing property of cotton fabric, it changes the madder dye colour tonality (the hue angle). In this study, ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) was used as a crosslinking agent to dye cotton fabrics with natural madder dye and improve the surface colour depth (K/S) and colour fastness. The molecular structure, crystal structure and surface morphology of crosslinked dyed cotton were analysed using Fourier Transform–infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results showed that crosslinked dyed cotton fabric had two different ether bonds, and that crosslinked dyeing mainly occurred in the amorphous area. Compared with direct dyed cotton fabric, the hue angle (h°) of crosslinked dyed cotton fabric did not undergo an obvious change, K/S increased by 5, and the rubbing fastness, washing fastness and light fastness increased by 2‐3 levels, indicating that the dyeing property of cotton fabric with natural madder dye could be improved by using EGDE as a crosslinking agent. Compared with raw cotton fabric, the bending length of crosslinked dyed cotton fabric was reduced by 2.28 cm, the wrinkle recovery angle increased by 80.7° and the ultraviolet protection factor value was more than 40, indicating that crosslinked dyed cotton fabric had great softness, wrinkle resistance and excellent ultraviolet resistance. In addition, the water contact angle of the cotton fabric only changed slightly after crosslinking dyeing, and the crosslinked dyed cotton fabric still had good hydrophilicity. Therefore, EGDE was a viable crosslinking agent for cotton fabric with madder dye.