To
obtain sufficient dyeability, dyeing of poly(ethylene terephthalate)
fabrics must be performed at high temperature and high pressure or
by using a no-eco-friendly carrier at atmospheric pressure, which
implies large energy consumption and environmental contamination.
In order to improve the sustainability of the dyeing process, a carrier-free
and low-temperature dyeing procedure was developed for the poly(ethylene
terephthalate) copolyester (MCDP) incorporated with sodium-5-sulfo-bis(hydroxyethyl)-isophthalate
(SIP) and 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (MPD). The results obtained from
cationic dyeing at optimized conditions show an outstanding dye utilization
(99.0%) with MCDP, which is much higher than that of the conventional
SIP-modified copolyester. Meanwhile, the introduction of SIP and MPD
contents ensures the large adsorption and fast diffusion of dye molecules
into the amorphous region of fibers, allowing an efficient and deep
disperse dyeing of polyester fabrics under atmosphere in the absence
of carriers. The environmental benefits arising from high quality
dyed MCDP fabrics with ultradeep dyeing performance and excellent
color fastness through a facile and clean dyeing process are highlighted
with the economic ones.