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The purpose of this paper is to prepare nano size micro-emulsion co-polymer particles based on butyl acrylate (BA)/acrylic acid (AAc) with high monomer/surfactant ratio. The study involved the application of the prepared micro-emulsions co-polymers as textile pigment printing binders.

The micro-emulsion co-polymerisations processes were carried out with different mixtures of BA and AAc using modified process. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and potassium peroxy disulphate/glucose were used as emulsifier and redox initiator, respectively. The prepared emulsion co-polymer was characterized via spectroscopic measurements, FT-IR, 1H-NMR and transmission electron microscope (TEM), in addition to thermal analysis. The prepared micro-emulsion co-polymers were applied as binders for pigment printing process onto cotton fabric, polyester and cotton/polyester blend by using flat screen technique. The optimum curing conditions were determined, colour strength and fastness properties of pigment printed areas to light, washing, perspiration and rubbing were evaluated. In addition, stiffness of the prints was studied.

The achieved results indicated that particle size and homogeneity of the prepared micro-emulsions depend on monomers weight ratio, initiator and emulsifier concentrations. On the other hand, the prints obtained using the prepared binders with optimum conditions have satisfactory fastness, good handle and high colour yield.

Monomers were continuously and slowly added into the polymerising system with mild stirring to avoid disturbing the stability of the micro-emulsion. Also, emulsifier and initiator concentrations should be controlled to avoid coagulation.

The research provides textile pigment printing binder with nano particle size within the range of 24-48 nm. Using the prepared nano binders in pigment printing enhances the stiffness, handle, and fastnesses properties of the prints.

The prepared co-polymer binders showed high-performance physico-mechanical properties; in addition, the ultimate goal of this study is to prepare a nano size binder with high monomer/surfactant ratio using a modified micro-emulsion process.

The dyeing of cotton and cotton/wool blend fabric by using reactive dyes has been studied with both conventional heating and microwave irradiation. The effects of the dye bath pH, microwave power, dyeing time and dye concentration are studied and the resulting shades obtained by dyeing through microwave and conventional techniques are compared. The results of the dyed samples indicate that microwave irradiation is more effective than conventional heating. Color strength values obtained are found to be higher by microwave irradiation. The results of the fastness properties of the dyed fabric are good to very good. The dyeing kinetics of cotton and cotton/wool blend fabrics are also compared by using the two methods. The values of the dyeing rate constant, half dyeing time (t _1/2), stander affinity and microwave efficiency are calculated and discussed. The physical properties of the samples are studied before and after exposure to microwave irradiation by a scanning electron microscope and an x- ray analysis.