Vat dyeing of Wool and Cotton fabrics with Sepia Melanin

Abstract

Using extracted sepia melanin powder by repeated treatments with aqueous sodium hydroxide and acetic acid solutions, vat dyeing of wool and cotton fabrics was carried out under various dyeing conditions including concentration of melanin, alkali, reducing agent and salt, as well as dyeing time and temperature. A K/S of 25.3 for wool fabrics was obtained at the optimal dyeing condition with 9% owf melanin, 0.5g/L NaOH and 56g/L Na₂S₂O₄ without salt at 80℃ for 90minutes. The vat dyeing of sepia melanin was applicable to both cotton and wool fabrics but the wool showed higher dyeability. The color fastness properties of the dyed wool and cotton fabrics were excellent to washing, rubbing and light irradiation.