Preparation of disperse dye/latex dispersion for printing of cellulose fabric

A dispersion was prepared from disperse dye and latex composite (disperse dye/latex composite) by the method of miniemulsion polymerization. Different types of costabilizers, emulsifiers and initiators were tested for optimizing miniemulsion polymerization which was critical to achieve high-performance dispersion for printing of cellulosic fabric. Experimental results showed that hexadecane (HD), allyloxy nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether ammonium sulfate (DNS-86) and ammonium persulfate (APS) were suitable for use as costabilizer, emulsifier and initiator in miniemulsion polymerization. An optimal dispersion was obtained by using 14.4 mmol L−1 DNS-86, a 1:100 mass ratio of HD to styrene and a 7.5:100 mass ratio of APS to styrene. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) suggested that copolymerization took place between DNS-86 and styrene. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the spherical particles were formed and uniformly distributed in the dispersion. Printing cellulose fabric with the disperse dye/latex composite produced higher color strength and color fastness than the original disperse dye.