Indirect cathodic reduction of dispersed indigo by 1,2-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone-3-sulphonate (Alizarin Red S)

Abstract

The indirect cathodic reduction of dispersed indigo (Vat Blue 1) with 1,2-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone-3-sulphonate (Alizarin Red S) as soluble mediator system was studied in 0.1 M NaOH by cyclic voltammetry, voltammetry in a flow cell and in galvanostatic reduction experiments. In cyclic voltammetry, the presence of 17.1 mM indigo led to an increase in the diffusion-controlled cathodic peak current (Ip)d by a factor of 2. During the reverse scan of the voltammograms the oxidation of reduced indigo could be observed at −650 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl, 3 M KCl). In voltrammograms of 4.0 mM ALS in 0.1 M NaOH, recorded in a flow cell, a current density of 0.40–0.46 mA cm−2 was determined for the diffusion-controlled cathodic current plateau, which appeared in the potential range of −850 to −1,050 mV. In galvanostatic batch electrolysis, solutions containing 2.5–3.8 mM reduced indigo were prepared and analysed by spectrophotometry and tested in dyeing experiments. The dyeing behaviour of the reduced indigo was independent of the reduction technique used. Energy consumption for electrochemical reduction of 1 kg of indigo could be estimated to 6.5 kWh kg−1.