The effect of nonionic surfactant treatment on dyeing of cotton fabrics

Abstract

The effect of nonionic FN-10 surfactant treatment on dyeing characteristics of cotton fabrics dyed with direct and reactive dyes was studied. Using different methods, the presence of nonionic surfactants on the surface of treated samples and the possibility of surfactant to interact with the used dyes were investigated. The treated samples have better wettability and absorb more dye than untreated sample. Intensities of direct and reactive dyes are the highest on treated samples dyed in a solution with standard amount of salt, and the intensity increase can be considered as mutual contribution of salt effect and that of deposited nonionic surfactant layer on the increase of dye affinity for cotton.