Natural dyeing and antibacterial activity of atmospheric‐plasma‐treated nylon 6 fabric

Abstract

Atmospheric plasma treatment as an environmentally friendly method was employed to modify the surface properties and improve the absorption of natural cationic dye on to nylon 6 fabric. Nylon fabric was treated in atmospheric air plasma, and the surface characteristics of the fabric were evaluated using attenuated total reflection Fourier Transform‐infrared analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and a wicking test. The effects of plasma treatment and mordanting with copper sulfate on the dye uptake of the samples were investigated. Plasma‐treated and mordanted samples showed the highest colour strength when dyed. The antibacterial activity of samples was evaluated according to AATCC test method 100‐2004. Premordanting with copper sulfate showed a synergistic effect on the antibacterial properties of the dyed fabric. The plasma‐treated and copper‐sulfate‐mordanted sample showed acceptable antibacterial activity against both gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria when dyed with an extract from B erberis vulgaris , berberine.