Printing with hydrotalcite hybrid nanoclays and dispersed, reactive, direct dyes

Abstract

By using nanotechnologies it is possible to colour textile substrates with new printing techniques using dyes that have been discarded from non-exhausted dye baths. Hydrotalcite is clay with a high adsorbent capacity that can be used for the recovery of dyes from textile wastewater. In this work, three different types of dyes will be adsorbed: direct, reactive and dispersed, the first two being anionic and the last one non-ionic. After this adsorption, the aim is to use this clay-dye hybrid to provide colour to a textile printing paste. The results obtained are subjected to colour fastness tests in order to compare them with more conventional printing processes. The hybrids are also analysed by infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction characterisation techniques to check the correct adsorption and formation of the hybrid. Colour measurements are carried out using reflection spectrophotometers to evaluate the colour results of both the hybrids and the printed textiles successfully and also to analyse their TSR. Thermogravimetric analysis carried out on the hybrids allow anticipating the possible results that they may have, they present certain tests of colour fastness to light which are improved thanks to the action of the hydrotalcite.