Dyeing cotton in alkane solvent using polyethylene glycol-based reverse micelle as reactive dye carrier

The dyeability of cotton fabrics with reactive dye, in non-aqueous alkane medium of heptane and octane was investigated using a non-ionic surfactant reverse-micellar approach comprising of poly(ethylene glycol)-based surfactant. The reactive dye was satisfactorily encapsulated in the cavity of the reverse micelle under the optimised process parameters as measured by the colour yield. Dyeability of cotton fibre with reactive dye from the reverse micellar solution was improved even in the absence of electrolytes. Optimisation of dyeing and fixation process could be achieved in a one-bath reverse-micelle solution. Experimental results revealed that dyeability in the alkane-assisted dyeing process is better than that in conventional water-based dyeing without incorporation of electrolytes. The scanning electron microscopic images showed no obvious surface damage from heptane or octane but some microfibrils were noticed.