The improvement of dyeability of flax fibre by urea treatment
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to improve the dyeability of flax fibre by modification via urea treatment and to explore the mechanism of such improvement.
Design/methodology/approach
The modification to the flax fibre was carried out with different concentrations of urea solution, then the optimum condition for the dyeability improvement was investigated by the measurement of the dyeing colour depth. The chemical properties of the raw and the treated flax fibres were characterised using a variety of techniques including Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy analysis and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis.
Findings
It was found that the dyeability of flax fibre had been significantly improved via urea treatment. The mechanism of the improvement of the dyeability of the flax fibre was found to be due to the amino groups (NH2) introduced to the flax fibres during urea treatment, which increased the activity of the reaction between the dye and the fibre compared to hydroxyl groups of raw flax fibre.
Practical implications
The treatment method developed provided a practical and effective solution to poor dyeability of flax fibre.
Originality/value
The method could be adapted for use in industrial scale flax dyeing with satisfactory levels of exhaustion and fixation.
Keywords
Citation
Sun, H., Jiang, X., Shen, Y. and Chen, C. (2011), "The improvement of dyeability of flax fibre by urea treatment", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 40 No. 1, pp. 36-41. https://doi.org/10.1108/03699421111095928
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited