Dyeing and antibacterial properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Liriope platyphylla</Emphasis> fruit extracts on silk fabrics

Dyeing and antibacterial properties of a natural dye extracted from Liriope platyphylla fruit applied on silk fabrics have been studied. The total phenolic content (1109.13±69.02 mg), total flavonoid content (530.60±89.44 mg), and total anthocyanin content (492.26±77.79 mg) were measured in 100 g fresh weight of L. platyphylla fruits. In addition, ten anthocyanins and four flavanols were identified in L. platyphylla fruits by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS). A broad variation in color shade and color depth can be achieved with mixtures of dye extracts and metal mordants. Purple, blue, and pale green were main color shades of silk fabrics dyed with the extracts. The fastness of dyed silk fabrics except for control dyed fabrics against light, washing, and rubbing were acceptable with at least a grey scale rating of 3. The antibacterial activities of L. platyphylla fruit extracts were retained on dyed silk fabrics even after home washing 30 cycles. Mordanting with metal salt mordant had a positive effect on antibacterial activity of dyed silk fabrics in this study. Among them, aluminum and copper were the most effective mordants for improving antibacterial activity of silk fabrics dyed with L. platyphylla fruit extracts. The costs of natural dyeing of per silk fabrics kg by the extracts from L. platyphylla fruit were also calculated on laboratory scale.     

Natural dyeing of cotton with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xylocarpus granatum</Emphasis> bark extract: Dyeing,fastness, and ultraviolet protection properties

In this research we investigated the dyeing of cotton fabrics with extracts of Xylocarpus granatum, a mangrove plant with a long history of use in leather tanning and textile dyeing. X. granatum bark was extracted and spray-dried, yielding a tannin-rich, reddish-brown powder. This powder proved a suitable colorant for the natural dyeing of cotton with promising color fastness properties to wet treatments (washing, water, sea water, and perspiration), hot pressing, crocking, and light exposure. However, the dye alone produced only weak levels of coloration and therefore metallic salt mordants were employed to improve the color strength, through the formation of insoluble tannate complexes. The resulting fabric K/S values were dependent on the mordant used and exhibited the following trend: ferric sulfate > sodium dichromate > copper sulfate > potassium aluminum sulfate > no mordant, for fabrics exposed to mordants before and after dyeing. Mordanting resulted in slight variations in shade and color fastness. In most cases, the color fastness properties were preserved, except for color fastness to light and hot pressing, for which lowered ratings were found for some mordants. Stiffness and mechanical performance were not greatly affected by dyeing or mordanting, except for sodium dichromate mordanting which significantly stiffened and weakened the fabric. The ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of all the dyed samples achieved the maximum (50+) level, highlighting the excellent UV shielding properties of the fabric. Overall, X. granatum bark extract is a promising, effective colorant for the natural dyeing of cotton in terms of appearance, fastness, and physical characteristics.     

A study on combining natural dyes and environmentally-friendly mordant to improve color strength and ultraviolet protection of textiles

In this study, natural dyes were extracted from five plants, namely diospyros kaki, dioscorea cirrhosa, millettia (jixueteng), ecliptae, and macrocarpa nucuma, using environmentally-friendly solvents, including ethanol and deionized (DI) water. A plant mordant, tannin extracted from Emblica officinalis G., and a metal mordant, copper sulfate, were used in the pre-dyeing process. Cotton and silk fabric samples were treated using the five natural dyes without and with mordanting for comparison on their color strength and characteristics as well as protection against ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Results revealed that Emblica officinalis G. had the highest total phenol content, followed by dioscorea cirrhosa. The presence of abundant phenolic groups in the natural dyes and mordant makes them effective coloration agents for fabrics. Cotton and silk fabrics dyed using ecliptae without pre-mordanting had the highest K/S values. Silk fabrics had higher K/S values than cotton fabrics, indicating greater color strength in pre-mordanted silk treated with DI water-extracted dyes. Natural mordant used before treatment with natural dyes contribute to significant enhancement in color strength, and Emblica officinalis G. alone could darken the color of cotton and silk fabrics dyed with plant pigment. Moreover, treatment with natural dyes after mordanting can increase ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) and the enhancement in UVR protection is greater and more significant in cotton fabrics than in silk fabrics, and in fabrics treated with DI water-extracted natural dyes than in those treated with ethanol-extracted ones. In conclusion, pre-dyeing with natural mordant followed by treatment with natural dyes extracted using environmentally-friendly solvents can enhance significantly K/S and UPF, offering directions for manufacturing textiles without environmental hazards but with good appearance and health benefits.     

Multifunctionalised silk using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Delonix regia</Emphasis> stem shell waste

The use of natural dyes and natural finishes on textiles has become a matter of significant importance because of the increased environmental awareness to avoid some hazardous synthetic dyes and synthetic chemicals. The Delonix regia stem shells were extracted in distilled water methanol and ethanol solvents. Phytochemical analysis was carried out for the presence of bioactive chemical constituents such as saponin, terpenoid, flavonoid, glycoside, phenol and tannin using the standard procedure. All the tests showed positive for the presence of components except saponin in methanol and ethanol extract. The qualitative antibacterial analysis was done by AATCC 147 method with excerpts from three different solvents both against S. aureus (gram-positive) and E. coli (gram-negative) bacteria. Delonix regia stem shell extract (DSE) in distil water was used for natural dyeing of mulberry silk fabric. Pre-mordanting and post-mordanting of silk fabric were carried out using alum and myrobalan mordants. Treated fabrics showed a substantial increase in colour depth (K/S) and adequate wash, light and rubbing fastness properties without and with mordanted and dyed silk fabrics. Quantitative antibacterial analysis by AATCC 100 method was done on dyed silk fabric which showed very good resistance both against bacteria S. aureus and E. coli bacteria. Dyed silk fabric also showed good to very good ultraviolet (UV) protection property. The physicochemical composition of the untreated and without mordant treated silk fabrics were analysed by attenuated total reflection (ATR) Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). In addition to that wash, durability was also measured of dyed silk fabric for antibacterial and ultraviolet protection (UPF) properties according to AATCC 61 2A washing method.     

The Use of Sumac as a Natural Mordant in Green Production of Iranian Carpet

Dyeing is a state-of-the-art realm of textile engineering, however, the emphasis on petroleum-based products is now shifting towards green fibers, particularly, green manufacturing processes. In the present work, a natural mordant, sumac, was extracted and used alone and in combination with alum (a mineral mordant) in silk fibers dyeing with madder and Reseda green dye to make the green production of Iranian carpet possible. The FT-IR ATR spectra of the washed, mordanted, and mordanted dyed silk fibers revealed bonding between silk fibers and green materials. The color of the silk fibers dyed with madder and Reseda extraction was quantified in terms of CIELab (L*, a*, and b*) and K/S values. The effects of different treatments on fastness properties including light, wash, and rubbing fastness were assessed by ISO standard test method.     

Natural Dyeing of Wool by Madder (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubia tinctorum L</Emphasis>.) Root Extract Using Tannin-based Biomordants: Colorimetric,Fastness and Tensile Assay

In this work, the natural dyeing behavior of woollen yarn with madder (Rubia tinctorum L.) root extract was studied. The effects of different tannin-rich plants (Rhus coriaria, Eucalyptus, Terminalia chebula, Quercus castaneifolia, Pomegranate) extract as biomordants and alum (as a chemical mordant) with two mordanting procedures (pre- and metamordanting) on color characteristics of the dyed samples were also investigated. The CIEDE2000 values, color strength (K/S), washing fastness and tensile property of the mordanted and dyed samples were assessed. Visually, a range of hues from orange to brownish-red were obtained. In general, pre-biomordanted samples with Rhus coriaria (10 %owf), Eucalyptus (10 %owf), Terminalia chebula (5 %owf), Quercus castaneifolia (5 %owf) and Pomegranate (5 %owf) showed almost the same color difference (ΔE₀₀) and wash fastness values compared to those treated with 3 %owf alum. Finally, it was concluded from the comparative studies that the biomordants have good potential to be considered as alternatives to the common chemical mordants.     

Application of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sterculia Foetida</Emphasis> Fruit Shell Waste Biomolecules on Silk for Aesthetic and Wellness Properties

There has been growing interest in the use of bioresource waste for natural dyeing and finishing. This paper discusses dye extraction from the novel source fruit shell waste of Sterculia foetida and its application on mulberry silk fabric to confer aesthetic coloration and wellness properties such as ultra-violet (UV) protection and antibacterial properties. Treated fabrics showed a substantial increase in color depth and adequate wash, light, and rubbing fastness properties for dyed silk fabrics with and without mordanting. Pre-and post-mordanting of silk fabrics were carried out using mordants such as alum, harda (myrobalan), and copper sulfate. UV-visible spectrophotometric analysis of fruit shell extract (FSE) at different pHs and FSE with three different mordants at neutral pH was used to understand the phenomena of dye-fiber interaction. The treated fabrics characterised by ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDS, and XRD analysis indicate the nature of dye fiber interaction justifying the multifunctional properties. The treated fabric also showed very good ultraviolet protection property and antibacterial properties both against S. aureus and E. coli bacteria even after ten washes. The results indicate that Sterculia foetida fruit shell extract offers an excellent potential as coloration, antibacterial, and ultraviolet protective agent for mulberry silk fabric.     

Bioactive and multifunctional textile using plant-based madder dye: Characterization of UV protection ability and antibacterial activity

In the present work the natural madder dye (Rubia tinctorum L.) was applied to the simultaneous dyeing and functionalization of polyester (PET) fabric. In the first part of the study the color performance and the durability were revealed for exhaustion dyed fabric. The dyed fabric was then characterized with respect to ultraviolet (UV) protection ability and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). CIELab color coordinates, namely the positive a* and b* values, confirmed a yellow/orange color of the dyed fabric. From durability tests, the color showed a moderate to good light fastness and good to excellent fastness to washing and rubbing. The madder dye improved both the UV protective performance and the antibacterial activity of the fabric. With 3 % on weight of fiber (owf) the UV protection factor increased up to 106, and the antibacterial activity up to 86 % against both types of bacteria tested.     

Experimental Study on Antimicrobial Activity of Silk Fabric Treated with Natural Dye Extract from Neem (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Azadirachta indica</Emphasis>) Leaves

In the present study, a novel eco-friendly production of silk fabrics dyed with different natural dye bath concentrations (40, 80, 120, 160, 200 and 240 g/l) extracted from neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves was developed. The surface morphology of the fabrics was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to characterize the chemical structure of the fabrics. The SEM images of the undyed fabric show that the fabric was tightly woven with little porosity between the fibres with dozens of silk threads in orthogonal directions. By increasing the neem concentration, a scale of fine particles grew on the surface of the silk fabrics with little macroscopical defects was demonstrated. The fiber diameters and tightness between filaments were significantly increased. The FTIR displayed that, neem dye does not change the characteristic peaks of the silk fabrics. Also, the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the undyed and neem dyed silk fabrics was monitored for Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria in addition to yeasts and fungi by using the agar diffusion method. The comparison between the different dye bath concentrations was based on the inhibition zones obtained after incubation. The antimicrobial activity in leaf extract of neem was estimated in Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus cereus (Gram positive bacteria); Escherichia coli (Gram negative bacteria); Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis (yeasts); and Aspergillus niger and Fusarium solani (fungi). The results emphasized that, the highest neem dye bath concentration (240 g/l) was found to display good inhibitory effect against the Gram positive and reasonable activity against the Gram negative bacteria. Furthermore, the different dye bath concentrations possess no activities against yeast and fungi. In conclusion, the data reveal that the increase of neem dye concentration does not damage the silk fabric; however, it improves its antimicrobial activity by incorporating with antimicrobial agent. The current study highlighted that using neem leaves had beneficial effect in controlling the pathogenic microbial organisms.     

Extraction,Dyeing, and Antibacterial Properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crataegus Elbursensis</Emphasis> Fruit Natural Dye on Wool Yarn

Fruits obtained from shrubs of the Crataegus elbursensis (C. elbursensis) plant demonstrate significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties. In this study, natural dye was sono-extracted from fresh and dried fruits and applied in dyeing and antibacterial finishing of wool. The maximum sono-extraction yield was obtained when optimal conditions of ethanol/ water (4/1 v/v) as extracting solvent, time 30 min, pH 4, temperature 50 oC, and C. elbursensis concentration 10 g/l were used. When wool yarns were dyed with the extracted natural dye, the maximum dye uptake was achieved using dye concentration 75 % owf, and dyeing condition of 100 oC, 60 min, pH 4, and LR 100:1. Different metal salts like aluminum sulfate, copper sulfate, and tin chloride were applied on wool by pre-mordanting method and their effects on dye uptake, color variation, and color fastness were examined. Results showed that the natural dye itself had relatively high uptake and good color fastness on un-mordanted wool. Further, each mordant had different effect on dye uptake, color variation, and color fastness properties depending on its coordination ability with dye molecules and wool chains. Moreover, dyed yarns showed good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria.     

Exploring the potential uses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> L. leaves as raw material for textile dyeing without metal mordants

This paper explores the potential uses of the aqueous extract of Vitis vinifera L. leaves in dyeing linen and silk fabrics without a metal mordant. The focus will be on investigating the tinctorial potential of Vitis vinifera L. leaves and its dyeing properties. The anthocyanins amounts of leaves from different Vitis vinifera L. varieties were determined by the spectrophotometry method. The effect of the main dyeing parameters (pH of the dye bath, temperature, and dyeing duration) on the dyeing quality results has been studied. Tannic acid and pomegranate peel extract have been used as a natural mordant. Experimental results have shown that fastness properties of dyed fabrics ranged from average to very good.     

Extraction of natural dye from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coreopsis tinctoria</Emphasis> flower petals for leather dyeing − An eco-friendly approach

This study evaluated the extraction of two colors of dye (yellow and brown) from Coreopsis tinctoria flower petals using ultrasound and the dyeing of leather with the extracted dyes as a source of nontoxic and eco-friendly dye. The results showed an increase in the dye extraction values with increasing time at 100 W ultrasonic power at 80 °C for 1 h. Leather dyeing was optimized with the aid of ultrasound and magnetic stirring. The optimum leather dyeing conditions, with respect to the dye uptake, dye penetration and intensity of the color, were determined to be 12 % dye concentration, 100 W power, 1,000 rpm, and pH 7.0 for 60 min at 80 °C. It was shown that sonication improves dye exhaustion from a 90 % to 60 % rating for 1 h of dyeing time. The dyed leather was assessed by reflectance measurements and compared with visual assessment data. The fastness properties of dyed leather samples showed good fastness against washing, light, and dry and wet rubbing. The strength properties were not significantly altered and the bulk properties, such as softness, were found to be improved by the use of Coreopsis tinctoria yellow and brown dyes using an ultrasonic and magnetic stirring dyeing process.     

Colorimetric Analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hibiscus</Emphasis> Beverages and their Potential Antioxidant Properties

In food industry, roselle beverages and their subproducts could be functional ingredients since they are an excellent source of bioactive compounds with improved performance due to their important anthocyanins content. The aim of this study was to analyze anthocyanin content and antioxidant properties of aqueous infusions elaborated with color contrasting Hibiscus materials and design a mathematical model in order to predict color-composition relationship. Color measurements of beverages from roselle (Negra, Sudan and Rosa) were made by transmission spectrophotometry, anthocyanins quantification was determined by HPLC, and antioxidant potential was evaluated by in vitro methods (ABTS and FRAP assays). Beverages prepared with particle size minor of 250 μm presented until 4- and 2- times more anthocyanins content and antioxidant capacity respectively, in comparison to beverages prepared with powders with particle size major of 750 μm. Positive correlations among pigments composition and color parameters were found (p?<?0.05), showing that anthocyanins content, antioxidant capacity, C*_ab and h_ab values increased in relation with the smallest particle size of flours. Also, mathematical models were stablished to predict anthocyanin content (r?≥?0.97) and antioxidant capacity (r?≥?0.89) from color data; we propose equations for quick estimation of the antioxidant capacity in the Hibiscus beverages with high anthocyanin content. The obtained models could be an important tool to be used in food industry for pigment characterization or functional compounds with potential health benefits.     

Dyeability and Antibacterial Finishing of Hemp Fabric Using Natural Bioactive Neem Extract

Two functional compounds were successfully extracted from neem (Azadiracta indica): a tannin-rich natural dye and an antibacterial agent. The dye was extracted from the bark using water, and the antibacterial from the leaf using methanol. These were used to dye hemp fabrics. Higher color strength values (K/S) were found when dyeing was conducted at a higher dye concentration, elevated temperature, and longer dyeing time. Optimal results were achieved when using 5 %w/v of extracted powder at 100 °C for 60 min. The resulting fabrics appeared reddish-brown, and were rated as good to excellent for color fastness against washing, water, sea water, and perspiration. The antibacterial agent from the neem leaf was extracted by Soxhlet apparatus at 65 °C with methanol as solvent. The dyed and antibacterial-finished hemp fabrics were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, following the percentage reduction test of AATCC 100. The treated fabrics demonstrated a 99.99 % reduction in Staphylococcus aureus.     

Unusual Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Egg Case of the Bolas Spider <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mastophora corpulenta</Emphasis> Banks (Araneae,Araneidae)

Bolas spiders of the genus Mastophora are very uncommon orb-weaver spiders, famous for their unusual predatory behavior. Being strictly nocturnal and very cryptic, they are extremely difficult to reveal, which explains their rarity in world arachnological collections. After a recent finding of an adult female of Mastophora corpulenta Banks (one of especially rare representatives of the genus), a few egg cases of this species became available, which seem to be very different from those of more common spiders due to their unusual hardness and coloration. We characterized some spectral, structural, and mechanical properties of this unusual silk material, by using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), 3D profilometer imaging, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). For comparison, similar studies were performed for egg cases of the Southern black widow Latrodectus mactans Fabricius, since spiders of the genus Latrodectus are known to produce silk fibers of comparable toughness. Some similarities were observed between the silks produced by Mastophora corpulenta and Latrodectus mactans in terms of the size and chemical composition of egg cases. At the same time, SEM imaging and AFM force characterization revealed striking differences between them, due to the fact that Mastophora egg cases, unlike those produced by more common Araneae species, includes a solid (fused) wall, lacking evident porous structure, which results in their outstanding stiffness and strength.     

Physico-chemical characteristics of a seed fiber arised from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pergularia Tomentosa</Emphasis> L.

In the present paper, we analyze a seed fiber arising from Pergularia tomentosa L. (PTL). It was, primarily, characterized using different techniques. The morphology of the fibers was observed via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). They are also checked in term of decomposition behavior through TGA/DTG instrument. The cristallinity index was determined using XRD and it was about 52 %. The chemical composition in terms of moisture percent, ash, waxes and fats, lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose were, respectively 8.5 %, 2.74 %, 1.88 %, 8.6 %, 16 % and 43.8 %. The contact angle value was measured and the evolution of drop profile was captured with video-camera using GBX Tensiometer Surfaces Sciences Studies. Further, fibers were dyed with Methylene Blue, Direct Red 79, Sumifix supra yellow 3RF and Reactive Blue 198. Color coordinates (ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*, ΔC* and ΔH*) of the samples were so measured. All obtained data were compared to cotton fibers and some other cellulosic fibers. The Results revealed that, based on such properties, PTLF could be a competitive fiber in many applications field (textile weaving, composites, etc).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Limoniastrum monopetalum</Emphasis> stems as a new source of natural colorant for dyeing wool fabrics

In the present study, an attempt has been made to dye the wool fabric with Limoniastrum monopetalum stems, as a source of natural dye, which has not been exploited so far. Optimization of extraction parameters was done. Optimum results of extraction process were obtained with a dye concentration of 60 g/l, a temperature of 90 °C during 100 min. The study of different factors effecting dyeability of wool fabrics by aqueous L. monopetalum stems extract showed that the pH of dye bath and dyeing temperature and time affected considerably the color yield. The best results were obtained at the following conditions; pH 2, 100 °C, and 60 min. Metal mordants, when used in conjunction with L. monopetalum dye, allowed to obtain various shades. The determination of phenolic contents of aqueous L. monopetalum stems extract showed a high amount of phenolic components. Based on RP-HPLC, the coloring extract of L. monopetalum stems contains tannins and polyphenols. The major identified phenolic compounds were procatechuic, Trans-cinnamic and gallic acids. Hence, aqueous L. monopetalum stems extract could be successfully exploited for dyeing wool fabrics with high color yield (K/S).     

Functionalization of the aquatic weed water hyacinth <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eichhornia crassipes</Emphasis> by using zinc oxide nanoparticles for removal of organic dyes effluent

In this study, purified Eichhornia crassipes dead biomass, coated biomass with ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) and one coated with both ZnO NPs and polyethylenimine (PEI) were successfully fabricated as a bioadsorbent and biodegradent of organic dyes from the textile dye effluent. These ZnO NPs are capable of enhancing the dispersability and adsorption capacity of PEI and the anionic dyes. The surface analyses of Eichhornia crassipes, Eichhornia crassipes/ZnO NPs and Eichhornia crassipes/ZnO NPs/ PEI were characterized by SEM, specific surface area and micropore volume. The effect of three parameters including Eichhornia crassipes concentration, dye concentration and contact time on the color removal percent and degradation percent were evaluated. The results showed that the bleached Eichhornia crassipes was an efficient adsorbent for cationic dyes. Also, the effectiveness of Eichhornia crassipes/ZnO NPs was employed as photocatalytic agent for the degradation of C.I. Direct Red 23 in the presence and absence of UV irradiation. Moreover, Eichhornia crassipes/ZnO NPs/PEI shows a high adsorption capacity toward the anionic dyes C.I. Acid Red 40 and C.I. Reactive Orange 91. It was found that, Eichhornia crassipes/ZnO NPs was completely degraded C.I. Direct Red 23 by >90 % within 90 min of UV irradiation time, whereas in the absence of UV irradiation it required a substantially longer time (120 min) to achieve a similar degradation percent. In addition, Eichhornia crassipes/ZnO NPs/PEI was most effective and show the maximum adsorption capacity for C.I. Reactive Orange 91 and C.I. Acid Red 40 and its efficiency for the color removal percent was 100 % for C.I. Reactive Orange 91 and 95 % for C.I. Acid Red 40 in less than 60 min processing time.     

Rooting Characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum chacoense</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum tuberosum in Vitro</Emphasis>

The precise level of environmental control in vitro may aid in identifying genetically superior plant germplasm for rooting characteristics (RC) linked to increased foraging for plant nitrogen (N). The objectives of this research were to determine the phenotypic variation in root morphological responses of 49 Solanum chacoense (chc), 30 Solanum tuberosum Group Phureja – Solanum tuberosum Group Stenotomum (phu-stn), and three Solanum tuberosum (tbr) genotypes to 1.0 and 0.5 N rate in vitro for 28 d, and identify genotypes with superior RC. The 0.5 N significantly increased density of root length, surface area, and tips. All RC were significantly greater in chc than in either phu-stn or tbr. Based upon clustering on root length, surface area, and volume, the cluster with the greatest rooting values consisted of eight chc genotypes that may be utilized to initiate a breeding program to improve RC in potato.     

Application of triazole-containing gemini cationic darkening agent in cold pad batch dyeing for cotton knits

4-Amino-double(octadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride)-1,2,4-triazole (ADAC-TZ), a gemini cationic auxiliary with a heterocyclic triazole structure, was designed and synthesized by the method described here and characterized for use in the cold pad batch dyeing of cotton knits. The results show that, for ADAC-TZ, the critical micelle concentration (CMC) is 4.0×10^-4 mol/l, the Krafft point is 29.8 °C, the foam height is only 169 mm/5 min, and the solubilization for toluene is 6.67 ml/g, which means that ADAC-TZ exhibits excellent low-foaming, water solubility and solubilization properties. The present research also demonstrates that ADAC-TZ pretreatment can increase the K/S value, dye fixation, and color fastness to washing and rubbing of cotton knits dyed through BES reactive dye cold pad batch dyeing used in combination with the alkaline agent QF-4.