Utilization of Ionic Liquids for Low Temperature Dyeing of Proteinic Fabrics

Abstract

AN ACCEPTABLE method was developed for dyeing of wool and silk fabrics at 60 ºC using acid and reactive dyes. Two commercially available ionic liquids (ILs); namely 1-ethyl 3-methyl imidazolium acetate (EMIA), and 1-butyl 3-methyl imidazolium chloride (BMIC), in aqueous or non-aqueous medium, as diluents, were utilized to enhance the dyeability of wool and silk fabrics with the selected dyes. The effect of the amount (%) of IL as well as treatment time and temperature on the dyeability of wool was assessed. Pre-swelling of both fabrics in either EMIA or BMIC, highly improved their dyeability with acid and reactive dyes at 60°C, compared with the untreated fabrics. The washing and rubbing fastness of the untreated as well as pre-treated dyed wool fabrics were assessed.

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