Functional Dyeing of Cellulose-based (Linen) Fabric Using Bombax Ceiba (Kapok) Flower Extract

Abstract

Linen fiber, which is claimed to be more comfortable than cotton, is an important textile fiber obtained from Linum usitatissimum (Flax) plant. However, the lack of functional properties of linen limits its application in functional textile products. Nowadays, use of natural colorant for textile dyeing has become an attractive option for sustainable textile coloration. Kapok flower is an unexplored source of natural dyestuff which can also be utilized for functionalization of cellulose-based textiles. In the current work, kapok flower extract (KFC) was utilized as a functional dye for dyeing of linen fabric in the presence of metallic mordants. The dyed fabrics were evaluated for coloration properties (color values, color coordinates, and fastness properties) as well as functional properties viz. antibacterial activity, UV protection, and antioxidant activity. The satisfactory level of dyeing with acceptable fastness ratings was achieved on linen fabrics. The dyed fabrics displayed an excellent antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The efficient level of UV protection and radical scavenging (antioxidant activity) was also obtained. The mechanism of functional modification of linen using KFC was discussed.