11. Dyeing of Electrospun Nanofibers

Dyeing and colorimetric properties on different types of nanofibers is promising for potential apparel applications. Apart from the functional properties electrospun cellulose acetate nanofibers, cellulose nanofibers, Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 nanofibers, Polyester nanofibers, and polyurethane nanofibers are being widely studied recently for dyeing with different dyes and techniques. In general, the polymers solution prepared and converted into nanofibers using electrospinning. The prepared nanofibers are continued to obtain a web thickness varied between 10 um and 100 um, depending on the type of polymer being electrospun. The nanofiber web is then dyed with specific dyes by either batch wise or padding method. We also report using ultrasonic energy in dyeing process to enhance color strength (K/S) values and efficiency of process. This chapter covers range of nanofibers that can be dyed with different dyes and techniques with achieving enough color strength, color fastness values with unaltered morphology, and chemistry of nanofibers. The dyed electrospun nanofibers can potentially be considered for advanced apparel applications.