Abstract
Dyeing properties of the colorants extracted from pomegranate hull on cotton fabric were investigated. Effects of dyeing conditions and mordanting on dye uptake, color change and colorfastness were explored. Cationic agent treatment was done for cotton to improve low dyeability in natural dyeing. In addition antimicrobial activity of the cotton fabrics dyed with pomegranate colorants was examined by the shake flask method. Pomegranate colorants showed low affinity to cotton fiber and its adsorption isotherm was Freundlich type. Therefore, hydrogen bonding was involved in the adsorption of pomegranate colorants onto cotton fiber. Mordants did not significantly increase dye adsorption. Pomegranate colorants produced mainly yellow color on cotton fabric. In order to improve dye uptake, cotton was cationized by treating with Cationon UK(quarterly ammonium salt) and chitosan. The cationized cotton with Cationon UK showed higher dye uptake and shorter dyeing time, compared with the untreated cotton. Chitosan treated cotton also showed high dye uptake, but chitosan was less effective compared with Cationon UK. Fastness to washing, perspiration, and rubbing was not improved by mordanting and cationizing treatment, but light fastness was increased by all mordants and cationic agent. As dye concentration increased, bacterial reduction rate was increased and mordants did not significantly increase bacterial reduction rate.
