Dyeability of Surface-Modified Cotton and Silk Fabrics with PAMAM Dendrimer Using Sargassum sp. Seaweed Extract

In this study, a PAMAM dendrimer was used as a surface-modifier to study the dyeability of cotton and silk fabrics using a sustainable dye generated from Sargassum sp. seaweed extracts. PAMAM dendrimer is a polymeric molecule characterized with multiple branched monomers containing numerous functional primary amino groups on the surface. These amine groups would readily act as a functional group similar to the structure of the natural protein fibers which is capable to improve the dyeability of textile fibers, especially with natural dyes. The crushed powder of dry Sargassum sp. was macerated for 48 h at 60 ℃ in methanol. The cotton and silk materials were pre-treated with a PAMAM dendrimer at concentrations that were determined in advance before the dyeing process began. The electrokinetic capabilities of these surface-modified fabrics were next investigated by measuring their zeta potential with a SurPASS Electrokinetic Analyzer. Exhaust dyeing and simultaneous mordanting with vinegar, alum and iron were done on both untreated and treated cotton and silk fabrics with a certain amount of PAMAM dendrimer. The dyeing process was carried out at 85 ℃ for intervals of 40, 60 and 80 min. It was discovered that surface-modified cotton and silk materials had a lower negative charge zeta potential, which enhanced their dyeability as well as the percent exhaustion and K/S values of the dyed fabrics. As a result of the surface modification, the zeta potential of the cotton fabric went from −20.40 to −14.63 mV. Similarly, the zeta potential of the surface-modified silk fabric, on the other hand, went from −36.80 to −26.85 mV. However, the percent exhaustion of surface-modified cotton and silk fabrics was increased to 21.17 and 39.99, respectively. Likewise, the K/S ratio of the surface-modified cotton fabric was raised from 0.06 to 0.20. Although the K/S value of the surface-modified silk fabric increased from 0.15 to 0.24. Additionally, the fastness properties of the dyed fabrics were graded as good to exceptional (between 4 and 5), except for lightfastness, which was classified as poor (rated between 3 to 5). Consequently, the sustainable dye from Sargassum sp. seaweed was successfully applied to cotton and silk fabrics. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT