Dye-fixing performances of slightly crosslinked poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chlorides) on cotton fabric

Abstract

Slightly cross-linked poly (dimethyldiallylammonium chlorides) (PDMDAACs) with different molecular weights characterized by intrinsic viscosities and structures were prepared as copolymers of triallylmethylammonium chloride (TAMAC), a cross-linking monomer, with dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (DMDAAC). They were then studied as novel, promising reactive polycationic dye-fixatives on cotton fabric. A series of slightly cross-linked PDMDAACs with controlled 1%–5% molar ratios of crosslinking units (TAMAC units) in the main chains and intrinsic viscosities of 0.04~0.86 dL/g were used to treat cotton fabrics dyed with anionic dyes such as Reactive Scarlet 3BS and Reactive Brilliant Blue KNR. Their dye-fixing performance, evaluated by dry rubbing fastness, wet rubbing fastness, colour fastness to soaping, and white fabric staining, were examined. The results showed their dye-fixing performances were affected by their intrinsic viscosities and the molar content of TAMAC units; slightly cross-linked PDMDAACs with intrinsic viscosities of 0.16-0.30 dL/g and 1% TAMAC exhibited the best dye-fixing performances and were better than all members of a group of selected widely-used commercial polycationic dye-fixatives. This was attributed to their plane-like structures and the nice balance between structure and intrinsic viscosities. Thus it was confirmed that the selected slightly cross-linked PDMDAACs can be used as novel dye-fixatives on cotton fabric.

Keywords

• triallylmethylammonium chloride, dimethyldiallylammonium chloride, copolymers, slightly crossl-inking, intrinsic viscosity, dye-fixatives, dye-fixing performance