Enzymatic Polishing and Reactive Dyeing of Cotton Fabric in One Bath

Cellulase has the ability to remove fuzz-fibres from cellulosic textiles, which endows fabric with a glabrous appearance and soft handle. In this paper, the combined uses of bio-polishing and reactive dyeing in one bath were carried out, aiming at shortening the treatment time and reducing the overall consumption of water and energy as well. The properties of cotton fabrics before and after the combined treatments were investigated, including the colour strength, colour fastnesses and tearing strength. The results indicated that the colour fixing agent of soda had noticeable inhibiting effects on cellulase activity. Meanwhile reactive dyes might react with cellulase proteins under alkaline conditions, resulting in decelerating influences on the dye-fibre covalent reactions. The acceptable one-bath process consisted of bio-polishing and dyeing of cotton in neutral solution, followed by dye fixation under alkaline conditions. Compared to polishing and dyeing in two baths, the one-bath method endowed fabric with a bit lower colour strength.