A smart approach for enhancing dyeing and functional finishing properties of cotton cellulose/polyamide-6 fabric blend

Polyamide-6/cotton fabric blend was modified by chemical treatments using citric acid (30 g/L) as acrosslinker, an acrylate binder (10 g/L), Na-hypophosphite (6 g/L) as a catalyst in the presence of basic dye or pigment colorant (15 g/L) employing a pad-dry-cure technique (wet-pickup 80%, 80 °C/5 min and 180 °C/2 min respectively). Combined modifying and dyeing of the treated fabric samples resulted in a significant improvement in the extent of coloration along with a remarkable improvement in the imparted functional properties namely UV-B protection and antibacterial function. The change in K/S value as well as in the fastness properties ratings of the obtained dyeings along with variation in their functional properties depend on the ester-crosslinker/catalyst concentration, type and concentration of the coloring agent as well as thermo-fixation temperature. Mode of interaction was reported, and surface modification was also confirmed by SEM analysis.