Pigment Printing Research Articles

Fruit shells of Camellia oleifera Abel as natural colourants for pigment printing of cotton fabric

PurposeThe present study aims to focus on the feasibility of using an aqueous extract from the fruit shell of Camellia oleifera Abel as a source of natural colourant in printing-paste preparation for pigment printing of cotton fabric. The effects of pre- and post-mordanting with three common metallic mordants, that is AlK(SO4)2, CuSO4 and FeSO4 on colour yield and colour fastness properties are also investigated.Design/methodology/approachThe printing paste was prepared by mixing the concentrated Camellia oleifera Abel fruit shell extract solution with commercially available synthetic thickener and binder. The fabric sample was printed with the prepared printing paste using a flat-screen printing technique. To determine the effects of pre- and post-mordanting, AlK(SO4)2, CuSO4 and FeSO4 mordant aqueous solutions with various concentrations were applied using the pad-dry technique. Comparisons between printing with and without mordants were evaluated in terms of colour strength (K/S values) and colour fastness to washing, light, crocking and perspiration.FindingsWithout the mordants, the printed fabric had a yellowish brown shade with acceptable colour fastness properties, that is fair to good wash fastness, moderate light fastness, good to very good crocking fastness and fair to good perspiration fastness. The use of mordants, especially CuSO4 and FeSO4, not only enhanced colour strength but also imparted different colours to the fabric. Compared to the unmordanted fabrics, colour fastness properties were mostly comparable or improved in the mordanted fabrics depending on the type and concentration of mordants.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough in the case of CuSO4 the light fastness was increased to a good to very good level, it is recommended that the final print be produced with a concentration of less than 0.125 gL−1 to yield the print with the residual amount of Cu metal under the limit, that is less than 50 ppm as regulated by the Oeko-Tex® standard.Practical implicationsThe obtained prints from Camellia oleifera Abel fruit shell extract provided shades with satisfactory colour fastness to washing, light, crocking and perspiration. The extract from Camellia oleifera Abel fruit shell has the potential to be used as an alternative to synthetic dye in the textile industry.Originality/valueThe use of Camellia oleifera Abel fruit shells, which are considered as abundant byproducts of tea seed oil production, as natural colouring agents for pigment printing of cotton fabric has been reported for the first time. It will minimise the environmental impact of this waste and create more valuable textile products.

“Soft” polymer latexes stabilized by a mixture of zinc oxide nanoparticles and polymerizable surfactants: Binders for pigment printing

Abstract “Soft” polymer latexes were synthesized by Pickering emulsion polymerization. O/W emulsions were prepared using monomers as oil phase, and a mixture of zinc oxide nanoparticles and polymerizable surfactants ammonium allyloxtmethylate nonylphenol ethoxylates sulfate (DNS-86) as stabilizers, and then the “soft” polymer latexes were prepared by free radical copolymerization of monomers in oil phase of the O/W emulsions. Stabilities of both the O/W emulsions and the polymer latexes with an increase of DNS-86 were discussed. Effect of the dosages of DNS-86 on water resistance of the polymer films was reported. The polymer latex was applied as a binder for pigment printing of cotton fabrics. The emulsion droplets became smaller, the drop sizes became more homogeneous, and the gel contents of the polymer latexes decreased to almost constant with an increase of the DNS-86 concentration. TEM showed that some zinc oxide nanoparticles were located at the surface of the polymer particles. DNS-86 was conducive to improve water resistance of the polymer films. Fabric printed with the prepared polymer latex had smaller color difference, improved color fastness and excellent ultraviolet radiation shielding performance in comparison with that printed with commercial binder. However, hand feel of the cotton fabrics printed using the synthetic latex was reduced compared with that of the cotton fabrics printed using commercial binder.

Synthesis and Applications of Nano Binder Based on Plant Oils

ABSTRACTThe importance of using renewable feed stocks in the textile industry area are expected to increase in the next few decades due to the limited natural resources coupled with an increased environmental legislation for eco-friendly and sustainable technologies. This research work focuses on the possible future applications of microwave irradiation in this field. Alkyd resins with highly distinct characters and reactive properties, based entirely on commercially available renewable resources, including sunflower or soybean oil, are prepared and characterized. The rheological properties, apparent viscosity of prepared binders, and roughness of the prints were described. The study was extended to application of the prepared alkyd resins as a binder in pigment printing operations onto cotton fabric by using a flat screen technique. The optimum curing conditions as well as the color strength and fastness properties of pigment printed areas to light, washing, perspiration and crocking, were evaluated.

Single-stage process for bifunctionalization and eco-friendly pigment coloration of cellulosic fabrics

A facile single-stage process for enhancing the antibacterial activity and UV-shielding property of cotton and viscose pigment prints was reported. Results indicated that both the functional and coloration properties of the obtained pigment prints were improved significantly by incorporation of TiO2 nano sol (average molecular size ≈5 nm, 15 g/kg) into the solvent-free pigment printing pastes. Differences in the imparted antibacterial activity and UV-blocking properties as well as in the depth of the modified pigment prints were attributed to the differences in the type of cellulosic substrate, efficiency of the used binding agent, extent of loading, and immobilizing both the TiO2-NPs and pigment particles during the microwave-fixation step as well as on the type of pigment colorant. Also, the obtained results demonstrated that the modified pigment prints, i.e. TiO2-NPs-loaded pigment prints, showed durable antibacterial efficacy and UV-shielding capacity even after 15 washing cycles, regardless of the used substrate. The scanning electron microscope images and EDX spectra of selected samples were also reported.

The effect of different radiation sources for the UV curing of a screen‐printed, water‐based polyurethane acrylate binder

In this paper, titanium‐dioxide‐pigmented printing pastes of water‐borne, UV‐curable polyurethane acrylate binder with two different UV‐curing photoinitiator combinations were prepared and screen printed on a black t‐shirt fabric. The effects of mercury and gallium radiation sources employed either singly or in combination for UV curing and the total energy level on the printing performance were investigated. The cured textile samples were subjected to colour measurements before and after five cycles of washing, and hiding power and changes in chromacity, hue, and colour were determined. Single‐lamp applications of mercury and gallium were not satisfactory, and opaque pigment hindered deep curing, especially at thicker coating levels. It was found that employment of a mercury–gallium lamp system applying an irradiation at medium level can provide pigment printing of opaque white inks with excellent coverage, washing resistance, and medium hardness.

Cellulosic fabrics printing with multifunctional encapsulated phthalocyanine pigment blue using phase separation method

Aqueous dispersions of citric-acrylate (CAC) oligomer encapsulating C.I. Pigment Blue 15:3 (PB15:3) in the presence of glutaraldhyde were formulated using the phase separation method. FT-IR spectroscopy and centrifuge sedimentation are performed to confirm the encapsulation of pigment into CAC oligomer. The prepared capsules were characterized using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results revealed that the encapsulated pigment had a profound multifunctional impact and minimized the driving force of pigment printing on the cellulosic fabrics. Besides, the encapsulated pigment accelerated the pigment fixation on cellulosic fabrics without drying in one step and reduced the required amount of the binder, compared with the control sample. Furthermore, the printed fabrics exhibited good antibacterial performance against both Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The presence of the crosslinker could be stabilized the encapsulated pigment on the cellulosic fabrics. Moreover, the light and washing fastness for the printed fabrics using encapsulated pigment are higher than that in case of using control samples.

Eco-friendly Modified Silicone Poly-Acrylate Binder Synthesis and Application of Textiles Pigment Printing

Modified silicone environmental- friendly poly-acrylate binder was prepared by emulsion polymerization technique using soft, hard, functional monomers. Newly synthesized binder was applied on fabric by pigment printing techniques. It was carried out on lab scale by simple screen printing techniques. We have synthesized this binder by using organic silicone, initiator, emulsifier, PH adjustor, deionized water and ammonia water as required. Binder should be soft, good film, high strength, good elasticity, excellent wash ability, strong adhesion, light color, excellent transparency and excellent light fastness, low cost and easy to implement production. Also get positive test results such as rubbing (wet & dry) fastness, water resistance of the film, softness, significant flexibility and staining resistance.

Multifunction Finishing and Pigment Printing of UV Cured Cotton/Polyester Fabrics Coated with Plasticized Epoxy Resin/ZnO Formulation

Multifunction Finishing and Pigment Printing of UV Cured Cotton/Polyester Fabrics Coated with Plasticized Epoxy Resin/ZnO Formulation

Modelling the properties of pigment‐printed polypropylene nonwoven fabric using the Box–Behnken technique

The aim of this study was to develop statistical models for the effect of binder concentration and curing temperature and time on the air permeability, tear strength, tensile strength, and crocking fastness of pigment‐printed nonwoven polypropylene fabric. The design and analysis of the experimental work were carried out using Minitab® statistical software according to the Box–Behnken design of response surface methodology. Models were successfully developed. It was found that binder concentration improves the wet crocking and tensile strength while having a negative impact on all other responses. Increase in curing temperature and time affects the fabric tear strength negatively but has a positive effect on wet crocking fastness and fabric tensile strength. It could be concluded that pigment prints of good dry crocking fastness may be obtained on polypropylene nonwovens without deterioration in the mechanical strength and air permeability to a commercially unacceptable level. However, further work is required to improve the wet crocking fastness properties.

Synthesis of blocked and branched waterborne polyurethanes for pigment printing applications

ABSTRACTA series of blocked and branched waterborne polyurethanes (BBPUs) have been successfully synthesized and applied in pigment printing of cellulosic substrate. The branched structure was based on an “A2 + CB2” approach with diisocyanate prepolymer and diethanol amine. The terminal isocyanate groups were blocked by sodium bisulfite to lower curing temperature and improve the color fastness. The prepolymerization and chain extending could be considered as the end at 70°C after 90 min and at 80°C after another 90 min, respectively. It was suitable for sodium bisulfite to block isocyanate groups at 0°C–5°C for 40 min. The microphase separation of BBPU based on the longest polyethylene glycol (PEG) soft segment appeared. Both curing rate and pencil hardness of BBPU films distinctly reduced as the molecular mass of PEG soft segment ascended. The moisture rate increased from 18.1% to 49.2% with increasing the molecular weight of PEG, indicating that water resistance of the film became poor. Excellent acid and alkali resistances of the BBPU films were obtained. Color fastness to washing, rubbing, and light of the printed cotton fabrics was remarkably enhanced as the BBPU amount ascended to 10% which were cured at 85°C for 6 min. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42780.

Development of bio-active pigment printed fabric loaded with nano-sized silver/zinc particles

Purpose – This paper aims to evaluate the antibacterial properties of pigment printed fabric loaded with nano-sized silver and zinc. Design/methodology/approach – The pigment printing paste was mixed with nano-sized silver/zinc particles and applied to the cotton fabrics by the hand screen-printing technique. The nano-sized particles, distribution on the fabric surface, were analysed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The ASTM E2149-01 test method was used to determine the bacteriodynamic activity of the treated fabrics. The wash and light fastness properties of the treated fabrics were investigated. Findings – The experimental results of the study showed that antibacterial properties could be obtained by loading with nano-size silver/zinc particles on pigment printed cotton fabrics. There is no negative or positive effect of the addition of nano silver/zinc particles to the printing paste on fastness properties. Research limitations/implications – The nano-sized metal particles and pigment printing paste should be well mixed to achieve uniform distribution on the printed surface. Practical implications – The described process marks the introduction of a nano-technological aspect to pigment printing by its application to cotton fabrics. Originality/value – The novelty/originality of the study lies in the new application process of nano-size silver/zinc particles to the textile pigment printing for antibacterial properties.

Towards UV-curable inkjet printing of biodegradable poly (lactic acid) fabrics

There has been growing interest in using poly (lactic acid) (PLA) fibres because of its natural-based origin and good biodegradability; however, its adoption within the textile industry has been limited to lower temperature wet and dry processing, because of its relatively lower glass transition temperature (T g) and melting point (T m). Here we report for the first time inkjet printing of heat-sensitive PLA fabrics using ambient temperature UV-curable inks as a way of overcoming the potential degradation at higher temperature. The UV cured inkjet printed PLA fabrics exhibited good performance characteristics such as acceptable colour fastness, relatively high colour strength, K/S, and comparable colour difference, ΔE, after washing to the thermally cured ink system, without affecting the physical and mechanical properties of the fabrics. In contrast thermally cured inkjet printed PLA fabrics exhibited significantly reduced bursting strength and stiffer handle attributed to the thermal degradation and lower fibre flexibility imparted at the higher temperature. Investigation of the radiation-cured printing approach indicates UV-curable inkjet printing may be considered as an alternative to conventional thermally cured pigment printing of heat-sensitive biodegradable PLA-based fabrics.

The last three of the pack

This essay deals with the ideas behind my photographic art work, including The Last Three of the Pack, 2013 (Pigment print transfer face mounted on wood, Variation II, 30 ×100 cm) and other fine-art photography projects. These ideas are related to a debate concerning the wolf population in Finland, our relationship with nature, anthropogenic changes in the environment, and the stories which have arisen from our relationship with the environment.

Condensation pigments for pigment printing of cotton - synthesis, photophysical properties, TD-DFT studies

Three novel mono azo condensation pigments were prepared by reacting two moles each of 1- aminoanthraquinone, 2-aminoanthraquinone, and 1-amino-5-benzimidoanthraquinone with the acid chloride of monoazo dye obtained by diazotizing 5-aminoisopthalic acid and coupling on to 2-napthol. The structures of the dyes were confirmed using FT-IR, UV-Visible, elemental, and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. The geometries of the azo and hydrazone tautomeric forms of the pigments were optimized and their electronic excitation properties were evaluated using density functional theory. The computed absorption spectral data of the azo pigments were in good agreement with the experiment, thus allowing an assignment of the UV-Vis spectra. The pigments displayed a broad absorption maximum in the visible region between 460 and 523 nm. The synthesized pigments were applied on cotton for printing application and they showed very good light fastness and washing fastness properties.

Use of Polyurethane Dispersions In Pigment Printing of Textile Materials Based on Natural and Chemical Fibre Blends

An assessment has been made of the effectiveness of use of aqueous polyurethane dispersions as binders in pigment printing on textile materials based on blends of natural and chemical fibres. The composition of the composite thickening agent has been formulated for optimizing their use.

Cellulosic/wool pigment prints with remarkable antibacterial functionalities

Several bio-active agents namely choline chloride, triclosan derivative, PEG-600 and 4-hydroxybenzophenone were successfully included into solvent-free pigment formulations, in a single-stage process, followed by screen printing and microwave-fixation to obtain antibacterial functionalized cellulosic/wool pigment prints. Results obtained signify that both the improvement in functionalization and coloration properties are governed by type of antibacterial agent, kind of substrate as well as pigment colorant. The imparted antibacterial activity of the loaded bio-active agents follows the decreasing order: G+ve (Staphylococcus aureus)>G−ve (Escherichia coli), keeping other parameters constant. The imparted functional and coloration properties showed no significant decrease even after 15 washings. Mode of interactions among the nominated substrates, the pigment paste constituents and the bioactive agents were also proposed.

“Nanosized latexes for textile printing applications obtained by miniemulsion polymerization”

We report the synthesis and design of aqueous monodisperse copolymer latexes by miniemulsion polymerization and their application as binders in pigment printing and ink-jet printing of cotton fabrics. For that purpose, miniemulsion radical polymerization was carried out with a high content of the soft butyl acrylate (BA) and a low content of the hard methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of hexadecane as osmotic costabilizer. The addition of small amounts of functional monomers such as methacrylic acid MAA and N-methylol acrylamide NMA to some miniemulsion recipes allowed to impart cross-linking sites and functionality to the copolymer chains. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), small angle neutron scattering (SANS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the particle size diameter and size distributions could be controlled in the range of 50 to 400 nm by the amount of SDS surfactant, while the presence of a costabilizer such as hexadecane determines the particle size and, to a lesser extent, the polydispersity of the obtained miniemulsion latex dispersions. The glass transition temperature of the different miniemulsion latexes ranged between −14 and −33 °C, depending on the monomer composition. Selected samples of these nanolatexes were then employed in textile printing. The miniemulsion binders with their uniform shape and smaller size have technological advantages over conventional processes for the pigment and ink-jet printing and yielded better printing properties in terms of softness, fastness, and color strength of the printed fabric. Accordingly, by optimized use of the miniemulsion method, one is not only able to control the particle size but also to improve the properties of these latexes for textile applications.

Differences in daily disposable circle lens performance characteristics

Differences in daily disposable circle lens performance characteristics Jeffery M Schafer, William T Reindel, Marjorie J Rah, Osbert Chan, Lening Zhang Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, Rochester, NY, USA Purpose: The purpose of this evaluation was to compare the performance characteristics of two cosmetically tinted contact lenses in the circle lens category that differ in lens design, lens material, and pigment print pattern: etafilcon A (1-Day Acuvue Define; Johnson & Johnson Vision Care) and hilafilcon B (Naturelle; Bausch & Lomb Incorporated). Methods: Two hundred Asian subjects (400 eyes) were enrolled in this 1-month parallel, bilateral, randomized study at ten investigative sites. Study lenses were dispensed at a screening/dispensing visit, and follow-up visits occurred at 2 weeks and 1 month. Lenses were worn on a daily disposable basis. Fit characteristics were evaluated at each visit, and slit-lamp evaluations were completed at each follow-up visit. Results: Of the 200 patients enrolled, 172 (344 eyes) completed the study. The proportion of eyes with fully centered lenses was statistically significantly higher for the hilafilcon B group at the 2-week and 1-month visits, P<0.05. Over all visits, 0.6% of hilafilcon B eyes demonstrated incomplete corneal coverage, whereas for the etafilcon A group, 8.5% of eyes demonstrated incomplete corneal coverage and/or edge lift. The proportion of eyes with adequate lens movement was statistically significantly higher for the hilafilcon B group, P<0.05. Over all visits, none of the hilafilcon B eyes was reported to have excessive movement, whereas for etafilcon A lenses, 10.2% of eyes were reported to have excessive movement. Conclusions: Etafilcon A lenses were significantly less likely to be fully centered and significantly more likely to have incomplete corneal coverage and/or edge lift compared with the hilafilcon B lenses. Keywords: cosmetic contact lens, circle contact lens

Micro-emulsion co-polymerisation of butyl acrylate with acrylic acid as binder for textile pigment printing

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to prepare nano size micro-emulsion co-polymer particles based on butyl acrylate (BA)/acrylic acid (AAc) with high monomer/surfactant ratio. The study involved the application of the prepared micro-emulsions co-polymers as textile pigment printing binders. Design/methodology/approach – The micro-emulsion co-polymerisations processes were carried out with different mixtures of BA and AAc using modified process. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and potassium peroxy disulphate/glucose were used as emulsifier and redox initiator, respectively. The prepared emulsion co-polymer was characterized via spectroscopic measurements, FT-IR, 1H-NMR and transmission electron microscope (TEM), in addition to thermal analysis. The prepared micro-emulsion co-polymers were applied as binders for pigment printing process onto cotton fabric, polyester and cotton/polyester blend by using flat screen technique. The optimum curing conditions were determined, colour strength and fastness properties of pigment printed areas to light, washing, perspiration and rubbing were evaluated. In addition, stiffness of the prints was studied. Findings – The achieved results indicated that particle size and homogeneity of the prepared micro-emulsions depend on monomers weight ratio, initiator and emulsifier concentrations. On the other hand, the prints obtained using the prepared binders with optimum conditions have satisfactory fastness, good handle and high colour yield. Research limitations/implications – Monomers were continuously and slowly added into the polymerising system with mild stirring to avoid disturbing the stability of the micro-emulsion. Also, emulsifier and initiator concentrations should be controlled to avoid coagulation. Practical implications – The research provides textile pigment printing binder with nano particle size within the range of 24-48 nm. Using the prepared nano binders in pigment printing enhances the stiffness, handle, and fastnesses properties of the prints. Originality/value – The prepared co-polymer binders showed high-performance physico-mechanical properties; in addition, the ultimate goal of this study is to prepare a nano size binder with high monomer/surfactant ratio using a modified micro-emulsion process.

Surface chemical analysis of the effect of curing conditions on the properties of thermally-cured pigment printed poly (lactic acid) fabrics

Colouration of poly (lactic acid) textile materials using pigments is particularly interesting because of the commercial importance of pigment prints and the sensitivity of poly (lactic acid) fibres to aqueous treatment; however the processing requires optimisation because of the fibre's heat sensitivity. In this study, poly (lactic acid) fabrics were screen pigment printed and thermally cured at different temperatures, ranging from 120 °C to 150 °C, and curing times, from 3 min to 5 min. Surface sensitive X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) was used to probe the nature of the outer 1–10 nm of the untreated and heat treated poly (lactic acid) surfaces, in order to characterise the surface functionalities and elemental composition. In addition, the effect of curing temperature and time on the performance characteristics of pigment printed poly (lactic acid) fabrics in terms of colour fastness, burst strength, abrasion resistance, Kawabata Evaluation System for Fabrics (KES-F) parameters and surface morphology were evaluated and optimum curing conditions for the pigment printing of poly (lactic acid) fabrics were established.