Abstract
The porosity of polyester fibers treated with sodium hydroxide aqueous solution was investigated using a nitrogen porosimeter, and the dyeability of the treated fibers was discussed in terms of the porosity. In pore distribution, the polyester fibers treated with sodium hydroxide aqueous solution were characterized by higher amount of pores below $10\AA$ than those of the untreated fibers, and by shift of the pore size having maximum accumulated volume from $10\AA$ for the untreated fibers to $5~6\AA$. As the weight loss of the polyester fibers treated with sodium hydroxide aqueous solution increased, BET surface area and total pore volume increased linearly, but average pore size, showing some different aspect, increased steeply at earlier stage and then approached the maximum value. The dye uptakes of the polyester fibers treated with sodium hydroxide aqueous solution increased with the BET surface area, the total pore volume and the average pore size. The alkali treatment increased the surface area of polyester fibers, so that the chance of contact between the fiber and dye molecules increased. In addition, the pores created on the surface of polyester fibers by alkali treatment might act as pathways for dye molecules into the polyester fibers.
