Mechanistic studies and modeling of textile dyeing using in situ sorption methods

Mechanistic studies of dye adsorption on both synthetic and natural textile fibers are of significant interest for obtaining high quality consumer products. This work combines chromatographic science with the principles of textile chemistry for the purpose of probing the molecular basis of dye interaction with fabrics. A new methodology is discussed for the quantitative evaluation and mechanistic description of basic dye interactions with acrylic fabrics. The methodology entailed rolling a whole textile fabric, inserting the rolled fabric into a standard liquid chromatography column and using the column in liquid chromatography for carrying out breakthrough and retention studies of dyes and other adsorbates. Thermodynamic modeling showed that the dye-fiber interactions occurred by both hydrophobic and ionic mechanisms and these interactions were influenced by both the qualities and quantities of the electrolytes in the dye bath. Based on this work, a new measurement of dye compatibility was developed. The compatibility value of cationic dyes can now be readily obtained through the frontal analysis of elution profiles obtained from samples of rolled fabric in liquid chromatography column. Adsorption of direct dyes and the void structure of water swelled cotton and ramie fabrics have also been delineated by this method. Such fundamental studies have impact on improving the manufacturing technology in the textile industry and providing quantitative measurements of textile properties relative to consumer perception of high quality products