EFFECT OF CHITOSAN TREATMENT ON COTTON FABRIC DYED WITH SYNTHETIC DYES

Surface modification of textile fibres has gained momentum to obtain improvement in functionality of the fabric without changing the bulk characteristics of the fibres by using biodegradable polymers. Chitosan, being an eco-friendly biodegradable polymer is used for pretreatment of the fabric. Many research studies have proved that the chitosan treatment has improved the physical and chemical characteristics of the fabrics. Hence, the present work was performed to study the effect of chitosan as surface modifying agent with reference to dyeability and imparting antibacterial properties to the fabric. Cotton fabric was pre-treated with four concentrations of chitosan and the treated fabrics were dyed with 1 and 2 per cent naphthol and vat dyes. The selected dyed fabrics were analysed for colourfastness and antibacterial properties. The chitosan treated fabrics have shown better dye absorption simultaneously imparting antibacterial properties when compared to untreated fabrics.