Green dyeing of weld on corona discharge treated wool fabric

Atmospheric pressure plasma treatment as a dry and environment-friendly process can modify the textile surface and improve wettability, adhesion and dye uptake. In this study, the effect of corona discharge treatment was investigated on wool dyeing with weld as a natural dye. Wool fabrics were treated by corona discharge treatment in different times. Then they were dyed with weld in acidic pH. For comparing to conventional dyeing method, untreated wool fabrics were dyed with weld in presence of tannic acid as mordant. The color data (L*, a*, b*) and fastness properties were determined. Furthermore, the corona treated samples were evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results show that the corona treatment was caused to improve color strength as compared to conventional method without changing the fastness properties. It means that the corona treatment can be replaced with mordant in wool dyeing. SEM pictures showed that the cracks on the surface of wool fiber have increased and the cuticle scales have partially etched.