Sustainable extraction and dyeing of microwave-treated silk fabric using arjun bark colorant

Abstract

ABSTRACTDue to an increase in awareness of harmful aspects of synthetic dyes among the global community, the demand of natural dyes in textile sector has been dramatically increased. The current study has been conducted to explore new eco-friendly source of natural brown colorant from arjun bark for textile. Both bark powder and silk fabrics were microwave irradiated for 1–6 min. Dyeing was performed at different variables onto irradiated and un-irradiated silk using extracts obtained from irradiated and un-irradiated powder. To make the dyeing process more sustainable, two chemical and bio-mordants were employed at optimal conditions. The results show that acidified methanolic extract from irradiated powder (RP, 8g) has given high color strength if irradiated silk (RSi) is dyed for 65 min. at 65°C using dye bath of 1 pH in presence of 7% of Na2SO4 as exhausting agent. Good shades and improved fastness characteristics have been obtained by employing 1% of Fe (iron sulfate) and Al (aluminum sulfate) as Chemical and 1% of turmeric and pomegranate extracts as bio-mordants. Hence, microwave radiation has not only explored the coloring efficacy of arjun bark as potential source of natural brown dye but also made its applicability under sustainable conditions.