Plasma Induced Graft Polymerization of Cationic and Fluorocarbon Monomers into Cotton: Enhanced Dyeability and Photostability

Abstract

The objective of this work was to increase color yield of direct dyes on cotton with the aid of grafted quaternary ammonium monomers. Plasma-induced graft polymerization of diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC) and [2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (AOETMAC) on cotton followed by dyeing with direct dyes was studied using different concentrations of the monomers and plasma conditions, and the color yield was evaluated using K/S measurements. Colorfastness and staining after laundering were evaluated using the standard grayscale. A significant increase of 149% in color yield was achieved when 30 g/L of DADMAC was used. 100–300% increase in K/S was achieved when ∼20 g/L of AOETMAC was used. To enhance the wash and lightfastness of the direct dyes on cotton, plasma-induced graft polymerization of 1,1,2,2-tetrahydroperfluorododecyl acrylate was achieved on the dyed cotton and showed considerable enhancement in both the wash and lightfastness.