Light Fastness Research Articles

Organoclay-assisted disperse dyeing of polypropylene nanocomposite fabrics in supercritical carbon dioxide

Dyeing using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) is carried out on the polypropylene (PP) nanocomposite fabrics with model disperse dye compared with their regular fabric at various dyeing temperatures and pressures. The results are compared with those obtained in aqueous dyeing method. The PP nanocompsite fabrics dyed in SC-CO2 medium exhibited higher colour strength (K/S) values compared with their PP regular fabric. The PP nanocompsite fabrics and their regular fabric dyed in SC-CO2 medium have higher K/S values than those dyed in aqueous medium. The color coordinates of all PP fabrics dyed in SC-CO2 and aqueous medium were positive with respect to a* and b* coordinates depending on the disperse red dye uptake. The PP nanocomposite fabrics dyed in SC-CO2 and aqueous medium exhibited higher antibacterial properties than their regular fabrics. All PP fabrics dyed in SC-CO2 and aqueous medium present very good washing, perspiration and light fastness.

Enhancing color brilliance and fastness of polyester dyeing with antipyrine-derived disperse dyes

Disperse azo dyes are important colorants for dyeing polyester fabrics, but developing optimized disperse azo dyes remains a challenge. This work details the synthesis of seven new disperse azo dyes 3a-g derived from the coupling reaction of 4-aminoantipyrine diazonium salt with various phenolic precursors including phenol (3a), salicylic acid (3b), salicylaldehyde (3c), cresols (3d-f), and resorcinol (3g). The dyes were characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Their UV–visible absorption spectra were studied, revealing bathochromic shifts for 3d-g containing electron-donating methyl and hydroxyl substituents compared to parent dye 3a while dyes 3b-c showed hypsochromic shifts. The impact of acid and base on the absorption spectra indicates azo-hydrazone tautomerism for 3f-g but predominant azo form for 3a-e. The dyes showed excellent dyeing on polyester fabrics with up to 97.86 % dye exhaustion. High wash, light and perspiration fastness was exhibited while fastness to respiration varied. The strongest color yield on polyester was achieved with 3g derived from resorcinol coupler. Density functional theory calculations were performed to elucidate relationships between substituent effects and spectral attributes. Lower energy gaps were computed for 3f-g, consistent with enhanced reactivity. This work expands disperse azo dye precursors while offering fundamental structure-performance insight to guide future design. The potent polyester coloration and good fastness properties warrant ongoing investigation of these dyes.

Disazo disperse dyes crosslinked with varied characteristic groups: Their synthesis, characterization, and application on polyester fabrics

We previously synthesized a group of carbamate-linked disazo disperse dyes that showed excellent fastness properties on polyester fabric by using the thermosol dyeing process. However, the color yield of the dyed fabric was not sufficiently high to be accepted by users, especially when using a high-temperature dyeing process. To further optimize the structures of disazo disperse dyes and observe the effect of the linking groups on the dyeing properties, in this work, we used p-phenylene diisocyanate or terephthaloyl chloride as crosslinking agents and aniline derivatives containing hydroxyl or amino groups as reactants to synthesize four disazo disperse dyes containing various characteristic groups, including ester, carbamate, amide, and urea groups. The structures of these new dyes were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. The spectral properties in an N,N-dimethylformamide solvent were measured, the structural parameters of the dyes were calculated using the density functional theory method, and the dyeing properties were investigated by using high-temperature and thermosol dyeing processes, and also compared with these for the commercial dye, C·I.Disperse Red 153. The results showed that there were slight differences in the molar extinction coefficients and maximum absorbance wavelengths between the new dyes, but the effects of characteristic groups on the structural features and the dyeing properties of the new dyes were significant. The ester-linked dye (D1) had the highest color depth when a high-temperature process was used in the presence of 50 mL/L of methyl salicylate because of its highest ClogP (N-octanol/water partition coefficient) value, corresponding to its more hydrophobic nature, while all the other dyes produced lower color yields. When used in the thermosol dyeing process, the carbamate-linked dye (D2) yielded the highest color depth, followed by the ester-linked dye (D1) and amide-linked dye (D3), and the urea-linked dye (D4) produced the lowest color depth due to its highest hydrophilic properties. Finally, it was demonstrated that the new dyes had excellent color fastnesses except for the urea-linked dye (D4), which exhibited a slightly lower light fastness, While the commercial dye used as the control showed a relatively poor sublimation and light fastness although its color depth and chroma value performed slightly better than the new dyes as used by the thermosol dyeing process.

Environmental Dyeing and Functionalization of Silk Fabrics with Natural Dye Extracted from Lac.

Most traditional synthetic dyes and functional reagents used in silk fabrics are not biodegradable and lack green environmental protection. Natural dyes have attracted more and more attention because of their coloring, functionalization effects, and environmental benefits. In this study, natural dyes were extracted from lac and used for coloring and functionalization in silk fabrics without any other harmful dyes. The extraction conditions were studied and analyzed by the univariate method. The optimal extraction process was that the volume ratio of ethanol to water was 60:40 with a solid-liquid ratio of 1:10, and reacting under the neutrality condition for 1 h at 70 °C. Silk fabric can be dyed dark owing to the certain lifting property of lac. After being dyed by Al3+ post-medium, the levels of the washing fastness, light fastness, and friction fastness of silk fabric are all above four with excellent fastness. The results show that the dyed silk fabrics have good UV protection, antioxidation, and antibacterial properties. The UV protection coefficient UPF is 42.68, the antioxidant property is 98.57%, and the antibacterial property can reach more than 80%. Therefore, the dyeing and functionalization of silk fabrics by utilizing naturally lac dyes show broad prospects in terms of the application of green sustainable dyeing and functionalization.

Synthesis, spectroscopic, DFT, TD-DFT, and dyeing studies of 2-amino-3-cyano thiophene-based azo dyes on wool and nylon

This study presents the design, synthesis, and application of eight novel thiophene-based acid azo dyes featuring benzoic and salicylic acid acceptors. The synthesized dyes demonstrate versatile light absorption properties, spanning the near UV, visible, and deep red regions. Notably, the thiophene acid azo dyes containing benzoic acid acceptor unit (AB series dyes) exhibited red-shifted absorption, while their salicylic acid counterparts (SR series dyes) displayed blue-shifted absorption. The influence of increased donor strength at position 4 of the thiophene ring on absorption properties is systematically explored. Theoretical findings from Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) substantiate the experimental results. Moreover, the dyes are applied to wool and nylon fabrics, displaying excellent dyeability with % exhaustion properties above 70%. The dyed fabrics manifest rich shades, ranging from blue-black to deep orange. Enhanced K/S values are observed for wool-dyed fabrics in the case of SR series dyed fabrics, whereas the AB series dyes show superior results for nylon-dyed fabrics. The dyed fabrics exhibit remarkable light, wash, and rubbing fastness. Notably, nylon-dyed fabrics outperformed wool-dyed fabrics in light and wash fastness. UV protection studies reveal the fabrics’ potential to block harmful UV-A and UV-B radiation with excellent UPF ratings.

Investigation of the Dyeing Ability of Some Reactive Triazine Azo Dyes Containing Pyrazole Fragment.

The IR, 1H NMR, and DFT studies indicated that the prepared reactive disperse dyes predominately exist as hydrazone tautomers. The electronic absorption spectra in methanol were observed and compared to those computed using B3LYP/6-311G(d,p). The dyeing efficiency of the produced dispersed reactive dyes was examined on polyester, cotton, and polyester/cotton blended fabrics. The degree of exhaustion and the quick properties of the dyed samples in terms of perspiration, washing, scorch and light fastness were assessed. It was found that reactive disperse dyes under investigation have a higher affinity for dyeing polyester textiles than cotton textiles. Moreover, the reflectance and color strength of the synthesized dyes were measured and discussed.

A Study on Natural Dye Application on Cotton Fabric using Clitoria Ternatea

In this fast fashion era dyeing is considered as a major cause for the textile pollution. It is also a cause for many deadly diseases due to the poor usage of synthetic dyes and most of the textile industry does not care about the workers and their protective wears and the workers suffer from health hazardous due the emitted effluents that gets emitted from the dyeing process. During the dyeing the synthetic dyes produce strong fumes, and these are highly carcinogenic and while disposing the dye there are proper treatment for the disposal otherwise this will create a huge damage to the environment. The present study focuses on colour ant that is extracted from clitoriaternatea flower on cotton fabric has been studied using alum. The wash, rub, light, and perspiration fastness of the dyed samples have been tested. It is discovered that clitoriaternatea dye can be successfully used for the dyeing of cotton to obtain a wide range of colours by using various mordant. In regard to colour fastness test samples exhibit excellent fastness to sunlight, washing, crocking, perspiration, and saliva.

OPTIMIZING PIGMENT PRODUCTION FROM PENICILLIUM SP. FOR SUSTAINABLE SILK DYEING

This study explores the use of microbial pigments from Penicillium sp. as a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes in textile dyeing, focusing on optimizing pigment production and assessing color fastness on silk. Static Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) at 28°C produced the highest concentration of red pigment after 27 days of incubation, with an optical density (O.D) of 1.010 at λmax = 530 nm. In contrast, 15°C resulted in slower pigment production (O.D = 0.860), and 37°C showed negligible growth. Adjusting the PDB pH to 5 increased pigment yield, aligning with previous studies showing Penicillium sp. thrive in acidic conditions. The final broth pH decreased to 4.0 due to organic acid production by the fungus.Silk samples dyed with these pigments were evaluated for color strength and fastness. The colorimetric values indicated moderate color intensity (K/S = 4.25) with a bright, pastel-like appearance (L* = 81.23), and a warm reddish-yellow hue (a* = 9.23, b* = 6.48). Fastness tests showed excellent performance for dry rub (rating 5), good results for wet rub (rating 4), and favorable wash fastness (rating 4 for staining and color change). However, light fastness was lower, suggesting potential fading under prolonged exposure.Overall, the study identifies Penicillium sp. as a promising source of natural dyes for silk, with optimized fermentation conditions (PDB, 28°C, pH 5, 27 days) leading to high pigment yield and strong fastness performance, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes in textiles.

Eco-friendly dyeing of leather and wood samples using Parthenocissus quinquefolia L. fruits aqueous extract

The present study is relevant to extracting natural colorant from Parthenocissus quinquefolia L. fresh fruits and applying the extracted dye on leather and wood samples in the presence and absence of various mordants. The effect of mordant type (copper sulfate (CuSO4.5H2O) ferrous sulfate (FeSO4.7H2O) and alum (KAI(SO4)2.12H2O) with different mordanting methods (pre-mordanting, meta-mordanting, post-mordanting) on dyeing quality was also examined. The effects of mordants on the color of dyed samples were investigated in terms of CIELab (L*, a*, b*) and K/S values. The dyed samples' light, washing, and rubbing fastness were evaluated according to ISO standards. Although generally good fastness values were obtained for all three mordants, light fastness was low. These results suggest that P. quinquefolia fruits have sufficient potential in dyeing leather and wood.

Investigation of the fastness properties and color strength of dry and wet reeled Tasar silk yarns

Tasar silk is extremely sought-after due to its natural beauty, toughness, sustainability, and cultural significance. Despite the historical need for Tasar textiles in their natural hue, weavers have created a limited number of unique designs and variants of Tasar silk. Since the younger generation requires 100% Tasar fabric in a range of items with diverse patterns and color combinations, it has become more vital to dye the Tasar yarn a distinct color. The fastness characteristics and color strength of Acid, Reactive, and Lanaset dye on dry reeled and wet reeled Tasar silk yarns were compared in this paper. In order to assess the yarn samples' color intensity and resistance to rubbing, sweat, washing, and light, they were treated appropriately. The findings of the fastness test showed that, in comparison to other yarns, acid and reactively colored yarns had lower washing and sweat fastness, respectively. Better light fastness was seen in fibers colored with Lanaset. Comparing reactive dyeing to acid and Lanaset dyeing, the former demonstrated a stronger color.

Investigation of process parameters for eco-friendly indigo dyeing of cotton fabric with reducing sugars

Purpose The application of indigo dyes in the denim industries has been criticised due to the introduction of non-renewable oxidation products into the environment. Previous studies have investigated that reducing sugars can be used as green alternatives to sodium dithionite in the indigo dyeing of cotton fabric owing to their reduced and stable redox potential in the dye bath. The purpose of this study was to dye denim cotton fabric with indigo dye using various reducing sugars and alkalis. The use of sucrose and potassium hydroxide (KOH) for indigo dyeing has been explored for the first time. Design/methodology/approach A mixed factorial design with four variables including alkali, pH, number of dips and type of reducing sugar at different levels was studied to identify a significant correlation between the effect of these variables on the colour strength and fastness properties of the dyeings. Findings Investigations were made to examine the significant factors and interactions of the selected responses in the eco-friendly dyeing method. This process has the potential to reduce the load of sulphite and sulphate generated in the dyebath due to the use of a conventional reducing agent, sodium dithionite. The colour strength of the dyeing reduced with fructose was found to be better than other reducing sugars and significantly influenced by the number of dips, pH levels and the interaction between pH and reducing sugars. Using fructose for indigo dyeing with two dips at a pH of 11.5, using KOH as an alkali, results in higher colour strength values. The fastness properties of the indigo-dyed sample with reducing sugars ranging from fair to good or good to excellent. Specifically, colour change receives a rating of grey scale 3–4, staining 4–5, dry rubbing 4 and light fastness 3–4. These assessments hold true across various factors such as the type of reducing sugar, alkali, pH and the number of dips. The optimised parameters leading to improved colour strength and fastness properties are also discussed. Originality/value This dyeing technique is novel and a green alternative to dithionite denim dyeing. This process is found to be useful for indigo dyeing of denim fabric leading to reduced and stable redox potential in the dyebath and acceptable colour strength of the dyed fabric.

Chitosan as a cationizing agent in pigment dyeing of cotton fabric

Pigment dyeing has gained popularity because it eliminates the need for post-dyeing treatments such as rinsing, neutralization, and washing. Exhaust pigment dyeing demands cotton fiber cationization, often achieved with synthetic agents. This study explores chitosan as a sustainable alternative for cationizing cotton for pigment dyeing. Chitosan has certain advantageous properties that set it apart from synthetic cationic compounds, including biocompatibility and non-toxicity. Cotton fabric was cationized using chitosan at different concentrations and the cationized fabric was subsequently dyed at 3 % shade with pigment using the exhaust method. Cotton dyed with a commercial cationizer served as a comparison. The uniformity of pigment dyeing using chitosan remained unaffected, and comparable K/S values were observed when chitosan replaced the synthetic cationizing agent. Various physical and chemical properties of the dyed fabrics such as color fastness to washing, perspiration (acid and alkali), rubbing fastness, light fastness, stiffness and bursting strength were assessed. Additionally, Fourier Transform-Infrared, Fabric Hand, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, and Chemical Oxygen Demand evaluations were also carried out to examine the viability of using chitosan instead of a synthetic cationizing agent. This study demonstrates chitosan's potential as a sustainable and effective cationizing agent for pigment dyeing.

Wood Extracts for Dyeing of Cotton Fabrics—Special View on Mordanting Procedures

Natural dyes offer a bio-based opportunity to support the attractive coloration of textile fabrics made from natural fibers like cotton, wool, hemp, and many other textile materials. They can be part of a strategy to realize fully bio-based textiles and clothing materials. In line with this statement, the following study investigates the use of wood extracts for dyeing cotton fabrics. Specifically, extract powders of logwood (Haematoxylon campechianum L.), brazilwood (Caesalpinia spp.), and quebracho wood (Schinopsis lorentzii) are used. The aim of the study is to evaluate which colorations can be obtained by the application of those wood extracts and what fastness properties are reached. For this, different modified process parameters and mordants are evaluated. The dyeing process is modified using different mordants based on iron and aluminum salts. These mordants are applied in pre-, meta-, or post-mordant procedures. The color and fastness properties of prepared textile samples are determined by spectroscopic measurements, color measurements, washing procedures, and a Xenotest for measuring the light fastness. Ultimately, it is shown that a broad range of colorations can be realized through different combinations of wood extracts and mordanting procedures. Notably, stronger color depths are reached with pre- and meta-mordanting compared to post-mordanting. Good wash fastness is obtained for some color shades. However, with post-mordanting, better wash fastness can be achieved. The light fastness of the realized samples is only moderate to low. In conclusion, it can be stated that dyes from wood extracts are excellent materials to dye natural fibers if they are combined with the right mordanting agent in pre- or meta-mordanting procedures. The present study is therefore a good proof-of-concept for the realization of fully bio-based colored textile materials.

Dyeing of Cotton and Wool Fibers with the Aqueous Extract of Alnus glutinosa: Evaluation of Their Ultraviolet Protection Factor, Their Color fastness and the Antioxidant Activity of the Aqueous Extract

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the dyeing properties and behavior of the aqueous extract of Alnus glutinosa leaves when applied on cotton and wool fibers. The antioxidant activity and the total phenolic content of the aqueous extract were calculated. The colorfastness of the dyed samples such as washing, acid and alkali perspiration, wet and dry fastness and light fastness was performed. The ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) which is a measurement of the protection offered by the dyed fabric substrates against ultraviolet radiation was also assessed. It was found that Alnus glutinosa aqueous extract shows exceptionally high antioxidant activity and high phenolic content. The dyed samples showed astonishingly high light fastness approaching the light fastness of synthetic dyes such as the vat dyes or metal complex dyes. The conferred protection of the dyed samples against the distractive ultraviolet radiation is exceptionally high as this is demonstrated by the high UPF measurements of the dyed samples.

Study on the dyeing properties of Chinese fir with Cinnamomum camphor pigment by premordant dyeing

ABSTRACT Wood staining can improve the quality of Chinese fir. In this study, Cinnamomum camphora natural plant pigment was used as a substitute for synthetic dyes to stain Chinese fir, and the staining performance was enhanced through pre-mordanting with alum. The dyeing effects of direct dyeing and mordant dyeing were compared, and the factors and levels influencing color difference, wash fastness, and light fastness were investigated through an orthogonal experimental design. The results showed that mordanting time had the greatest influence on color difference and lightfastness, while mordanting temperature had the greatest influence on washfastness. After pre-mordanting, the washfastness of Chinese fir improved to a level of 2–3, while the improvement in lightfastness was not significant. Pre-mordanting increased the dye uptake rate by 6.67%. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that NaOH pretreatment opened the wood pores and increased the flow channels for dye liquor. Infrared analysis indicated that O-H in wood fibers formed complexes with Al3+ in the mordant, resulting in a decrease in the characteristic peak intensity of O-H. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the attractive effect of Al3+ vacant orbitals on O-H partially influenced the ordered arrangement structure in the crystalline region.

Modern ecofriendly approach for extraction of luteolin natural dye from weld for silk fabric and wool yarn dyeing

The increasing apprehension regarding the ecological effects of synthetic dyes has prompted a transition towards sustainable and environmentally friendly substitutes in the textile sector. This research examines the eco-friendly use of a natural pigment obtained from the weld flower for dyeing of silk fabric and wool yarn. The study investigates the use of microwave-assisted extraction to acquire the luteolin based pigment found in the weld flower. An assessment is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of microwave radiation in improving the extraction process, emphasizing its capacity to accelerate and enhance the production of the natural colorant. Moreover, the process of optimizing dyeing conditions is carried out utilizing a response surface approach, with a specific focus on parameters including temperature, time, pH, and salt content. The study also investigates the influence of mordants, such as iron salt, and aluminum salt, on improving color fastness and attaining bright and enduring hues. The study expands its research to examine the impacts of plant-based extracts, such as madder root, and oak, as bio-mordants for producing a wide array of colors. The study additionally highlights the favorable influence on color fastness, exhibiting significant enhancements in light fastness, wash fastness, and rubbing fastness for both silk and wool. The measurable results validate the effectiveness of the suggested environmentally friendly dyeing techniques, provide numerical evidence of their suitability for sustainable textile manufacturing.

Introduction of new combination of bio-mordant from agriculture waste for eco-dyeing of wool yarns

Purpose Agricultural waste and food sources are some of the pollutants of the environment. One of these wastes is the peel of fruits that cannot be consumed as food. In this regard, walnut husk (WH) and oleaster peel (PO) are known as two important sources of tannin and are bulky wastes. Because of the high percentage of tannin, these materials can be used as a natural source for the preparation of bio-mordant in the dyeing process. Design/methodology/approach In this study, Reseda and Madder were used as natural dyes in the presence of a mixture of two bio-mordants. WH and PO were selected as bio-mordant. All natural resources are extracted to obtain the juice. The phenolic percentage of tannin-containing extracts was evaluated and then it was used for wool yarns by premordanting method. The results of evaluating the fastness properties using the ISO method. Findings The most important achievement of this research is the use of agricultural waste in the dyeing process to reduce environmental pollution and create added value. All compounds rich in tannin have some phenolic components, therefore the amount of phenolic content of these extracts was evaluated. The effect of mixing the mordant on the color characteristics of the yarns was investigated and the results showed that changing the ratio of the combination of two mordant is effective on the K/S values. The results of evaluating the fastness properties using the ISO method showed that the washing, rubbing and light fastness in the presence of mordant is good, good and moderate, respectively. Originality/value In this paper, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, for the first time, the combination of two natural extracts obtained from agricultural waste has been used to create a new bio-mordant on fibers and improve stability.

Reuse of waste dye bathes for sustainable wool dyeing by depletion of metal salts and plant-based dyes

Natural dyes and natural dyeing have been on the agenda of the scientific community for a long time due to their many advantages. Nonetheless, low affinity, low fixation rates of natural dyes, and occurrence of closely related metal-containing waste baths can be listed as disadvantages. This paper offers a different approach to eliminate these disadvantages. To that end, wool fabrics were dyed in the presence of four different natural dye sources (green walnut shells/husks, barberry shrub roots, madder roots, and alkanet roots) and three metal-based (aluminum, copper, and iron) mordanting agents. Baths remaining from the first dyeings were used an extra four times for repetitive dyeings. It was revealed that satisfying/acceptable colors and sufficient color yields could be obtained for all-natural dyes even after the 5th dyeing using the same dye bath. However, it was regarded as reasonable to obtain lighter colors and lower color yields with an increasing number of repetitions. The color shifts started to be observed especially after the second dyeings, which could be attributed to the significantly reduced amount of natural dye and the mordanting agent left in the waste dye baths. This divergence was seen at least in barberry shrub root-based dyeings. In addition, it was interesting to note that wet fastnesses of all dyeings with all mordants were generally good and even improved with repeated dyeings, while light fastnesses were initially medium-low and decreased slightly with repeated dyeings.

Synthesis of castor oil/PEG as textile softener

New castor oil/polyethylene glycol (CAO/PEG) hybrids were synthesized by reacting of CAO with PEG 300, 600, 1000, 2000 or 4000, in presence of ammonium per sulfate (APS) as an initiator. The optimum conditions to synthesis such hybrids are: PEG/CAO weight ratio, 35%; APS/PEG weight ratio, 15%; reaction temperature, 80 °C; and reaction time, 60 min. Only the hybrids based on PEG 1000 and 2000 formed oil in water stable emulsions. Treating cotton fabric samples with easy care finishing formulation containing 40 g/L of the synthesized hybrids emulsions results in an enhancement in softness, tensile strength, whiteness index, and stiffness along with a reduction in nitrogen content, wrinkle recovery angle, and wettability properties of treated fabric, compared to that sample finished in absence of that emulsions. The chemical structure of the synthesized CAO/PEG1000 hybrid was confirmed via the FTIR and 1HNMRanalysis whereas the TEM analysis showed that the particles size of that hybrid emulsion is in the range of 27–105 nm. Moreover, such hybrid emulsion treated fabric surface was characterized via SEM and EDX analysis. Furthermore, treating dyed samples with the nominated hybrid emulsion improves the color strength of that samples but keeps the washing fastness, wet rubbing fastness as well as alkaline perspiration fastness of the dyed/finished samples unchanged. The wet rubbing fastness and alkaline perspiration fastness of all the dyed/finished samples were enhanced while the light fastness of such samples decreased.

Sodium and potassium ferrocyanide derived Prussian blue pigment

Purpose This study aims to synthesize Prussian blue {FeIII4[FeII(CN)6]3} pigment by reacting ferric chloride with different ferrocyanides through the same procedure. The influence of the ferrocyanide used on resulting pigment properties is studied. Design/methodology/approach Prussian blue is commonly synthesized by direct or indirect methods, through iron salt and ferrocyanide/ferricyanide reactions. In this study, the direct, single-step process was pursued by dropwise addition of the ferrocyanide into ferric chloride (both as aqueous solutions). Two batches – (K-PB) and (Na-PB) – were prepared by using potassium ferrocyanide and sodium ferrocyanide, respectively. The development of pigment was confirmed by an identification test and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Pigment properties were determined, and light fastness was observed for acrylic emulsion films incorporating dispersed pigment. Findings The two pigments differed mainly in elemental detection owing to the dissimilar ferrocyanide being used; IR spectroscopy where only (Na-PB) showed peaks indicating water molecules; and bleeding tendency where (K-PB) was water soluble whereas (Na-PB) was not. The pigment exhibited remarkable blue colour and good bleeding resistance in several solvents and showed no fading in 24 h of light exposure though oil absorption values were high. Originality/value This article is a comparative study of Prussian blue pigment properties obtained using different ferrocyanides. The dissimilarity in the extent of water solubility will influence potential applications as a colourant in paints and inks. K-PB would be advantageous in aqueous formulations to confer a blue colour without any dispersing aid but unfavourable in systems where other coats are water-based due to their bleeding tendency.