# Organoclay-assisted disperse dyeing of polypropylene nanocomposite fabrics in supercritical carbon dioxide

## TL;DR

This paper explores using supercritical carbon dioxide to dye polypropylene nanocomposite fabrics, showing better color strength and antibacterial properties compared to traditional methods.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel application of supercritical CO2 for dyeing nanocomposite fabrics, enhancing color and antibacterial performance.

## Key findings

- Nanocomposite fabrics dyed in SC-CO2 showed higher color strength (K/S) than regular fabrics.
- SC-CO2 dyeing produced better color coordinates and antibacterial properties than aqueous dyeing.
- All fabrics dyed in SC-CO2 and aqueous methods showed excellent fastness to washing, perspiration, and light.

## Abstract

Dyeing using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) is carried out on the polypropylene (PP) nanocomposite fabrics with model disperse dye compared with their regular fabric at various dyeing temperatures and pressures. The results are compared with those obtained in aqueous dyeing method. The PP nanocompsite fabrics dyed in SC-CO2 medium exhibited higher colour strength (K/S) values compared with their PP regular fabric. The PP nanocompsite fabrics and their regular fabric dyed in SC-CO2 medium have higher K/S values than those dyed in aqueous medium. The color coordinates of all PP fabrics dyed in SC-CO2 and aqueous medium were positive with respect to a* and b* coordinates depending on the disperse red dye uptake. The PP nanocomposite fabrics dyed in SC-CO2 and aqueous medium exhibited higher antibacterial properties than their regular fabrics. All PP fabrics dyed in SC-CO2 and aqueous medium present very good washing, perspiration and light fastness.