Improving transfer printing and ultraviolet‐blocking properties of polyester‐based textiles using MCT‐β‐CD, chitosan and ethylenediamine

Abstract

This study demonstrates the possibility of improving the transfer printability and fastness properties, as well as the ultraviolet‐protecting functionality, of polyester, polyester/wool, polyester/cotton and polyester/viscose woven fabrics via pretreatment with monochlorotriazinyl β‐cyclodextrin (MCT‐β‐CD), chitosan or ethylenediamine, followed by subsequent transfer printing with sublimable disperse dyes. The modification variables as well as the transfer printing conditions were optimised. The experimental results reveal that generating hydrophobic cavities (via grafting of β‐CD) at the fabric surface, fixing of chitosan, with its amino groups, onto the finish/fabric matrix, or introducing amine functional groups, via aminolysis of the polyester component, results in obtaining transfer printed fabric samples with darker depth of shades and better fastness properties, as well as with higher ultraviolet‐protecting functions. It was further noted that, in all cases, the enhancement in the imparted properties is governed by type of substrate, kind and extent of chemical modification, affinity for the sublimable disperse dyes, accessibility of generated hosting and fixing sites, as well as the ultraviolet‐blocking capacities of the modified/post‐printed substrates against damaging ultraviolet rays. The mode of interaction, as well as the surface morphology of some non‐treated and treated fabric samples, was also investigated.