One-Bath Pretreatment for Enhanced Color Yield of Ink-Jet Prints Using Reactive Inks

Abstract

In order to facilely increase the color yield of ink-jet prints using reactive inks, one-bath pretreatment of cotton fabrics with pretreatment formulation containing sodium alginate, glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride (GTA), sodium hydroxide, and urea is designed for realizing sizing and cationization at the same time. The pretreatment conditions, including the concentrations of GTA and alkali, baking temperature, and time are optimized based on the result of thecolor yield on cationic cotton for magenta ink. The mechanism for color yield enhancement on GTA-modified fabrics is discussed and the stability of GTA in the print paste is investigated. Scanning electron microscopey, tear strength, and thermogravimetric analysis of the modified and unmodified cotton are studied and compared. Using the optimal pretreatment conditions, color yield on the cationic cotton for magenta, cyan, yellow, and black reactive inks are increased by 128.7%, 142.5%, 71.0%, and 38.1%, respectively, compared with the corresponding color yield on the uncationized cotton. Much less wastewater is produced using this one-bath pretreatment method. Colorfastness of the reactive dyes on the modified and unmodified cotton is compared and boundary clarity between different colors is evaluated by ink-jet printing of colorful patterns.

Dyeing Method and Properties of a Novel Blue Azo-Anthraquinone Reactive Dye on Cotton

“…The colorimetric properties of dyed fabric were analyzed on an Ultra Scan XE Color Measuring and Matching Meter (Hunter Co., USA) in terms of the CIELab values (L *, a *, b *, C *, h *), with a CIE standard illuminant D65 and an observer angle of 10° [29].…”

Effect of Diethylene Glycol on the Inkjet Printability of Reactive Dye Solution for Cotton Fabrics

“…Digital inkjet printing of textiles has developed rapidly in recent years due to its great advantages, such as green production, low cost, high resolution, and excellent production flexibility. − Among all kinds of dye-based inks, the reactive dye ink has been the most consumed ink for cotton inkjet printing with vivid color performance and satisfactory fastness. − The reactive dye could form a stable covalent bond with cotton fabrics. The reactive dye inks with desirable properties are significant for inkjet printing to improve their jetting performance and endow the cotton fabric with expected color performance. − Therefore, how to increase the inkjet printability of reactive dye inks has received increasing attention.…”

Synergistic Effects of Alpha Olefin Sulfonate and Sodium Alginate on Inkjet Printing of Cotton/Polyamide Fabrics

“…Usually, fabrics to be inkjet-printed should be pretreated using water-soluble polymers to load catalysts for dye fixation and to prevent ink bleeding on fabrics. − Up to now, many fabric pretreatment processes have been reported such as fiber chemical modification, − fabric enzyme treatment, − and plasma treatment. − However, these methods are only suitable for single-fiber fabrics. The pretreatment process for bicomponent or multicomponent fiber fabrics has not been reported due to the varied dyeability of different fibers.…”