Enhancing Natural Dye Affinity on Wool through Optimized ZnO Nanoparticle Mordanting
Shalini Rukhaya *
Department of Apparel and Textile Science, I.C. College of Community Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India.
Saroj Yadav
Department of Apparel and Textile Science, I.C. College of Community Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India.
Neelam M. Rose
Department of Apparel and Textile Science, I.C. College of Community Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Nowadays, there is an increasing awareness among consumers towards the use of natural dyed textiles. Natural dyes have better biodegradability and generally have high compatibility with the environment. Most of the natural dyes are non-substantive dyes and therefore need a mordant to help them bond with fibres. The use of nano materials, an alternative to metal-based mordants, is attracting attention of researchers to improve colour and functional properties of treated dyed textiles. However, limited research exists on the effectiveness of inorganic nanoparticles as sustainable mordants in natural dyeing, particularly with kachnar dye on wool. Thus, focusing on the benefits of natural dyes, wool fabric was dyed with kachnar dye in presence of inorganic nanoparticles as mordants.
Methods: To achieve the objectives of study, four different inorganic nanoparticles were explored to ascertain the effect of nano treatment on dye uptake and colour fastness of wool fabric. Neutral scouring of wool fabric was done to improve its absorbency. The scoured wool fabric was treated separately with nanoparticles and simultaneously dyed with kachnar dye. On the basis of maximum dye absorption (%), colour strength (K/S) and wash fastness (CC and CS) grades, one nanoparticle was selected. Nano treatments for wool fabric were optimized for different process parameters viz. treatment stage, nanoparticle concentration, treatment pH, time, temperature and M:L ratio of treatment bath on the basis of maximum dye absorption (%) and colour properties of treated dyed wool fabric.
Results: On the basis of colour strength and colour properties of treated dyed wool fabric samples, one nanoparticle i.e. zinc oxide was selected for natural dyeing of wool fabric with kachnar dye. The optimized conditions and concentrations for nano treatment and dyeing of wool fabric were simultaneous stage of treatment, 1.00 % conc. of zinc oxide nanoparticle, 40 minutes treatment duration with 80℃ temperature, 5.5 pH value and 1:40 M:L ratio.
Conclusions: The study highlights the potential of nanoparticle-assisted natural dyeing as a more sustainable alternative to conventional metal mordants, which often pose environmental and wastewater-treatment concerns. Among the four nanoparticles tested, zinc oxide proved to be the most effective in improving dye uptake, colour strength and wash fastness. By reducing reliance on heavy metals and improving process efficiency, ZnO nanoparticles offer a promising eco-friendly approach for natural dyeing of wool fabric.
Keywords: Wool, natural dye, nanoparticles, eco-friendly, colour properties