Improvement in dyeing, electro resistivity, and anti-microbial properties of acrylic fibres

Abstract

A simple and low-cost method has been developed to obtain dyed fibres with high electrical conductivity, as well as anti-microbial properties in nature. Fibres are first heat- treated in a solution containing cupric nitrate, sodium sulfide, and sodium hydrogen sulfate. Afterwards the treated fibres are dyed with a cationic dye. Results show that the pretreatment of fibres with conductive layer leads to the improvement in dye uptake, antimicrobial performance of the fibres as well as their reduced electrical resistivity. Using the results obtained from the present study, an appropriate suitable formulation has been developed for application and optimization of dyeing of coated fibres. The coated fibres show excellent fastness properties in terms of electrical conductivity and antimicrobial changes. After dyeing by a cationic dye, the electrical conductivity and antimicrobial properties of the fibres do not decrease. Copper sulfide coating can therefore be claimed as a simple method to produce textiles with good antistatic and antimicrobial properties, while at the same time, having very good fastness properties and laundering durability along with the increased dye ability of the samples.