Dyeing of EDTA-Modified Cotton With Reactive Dyes

Cotton was modified with disodium salt of ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) in presence of potassium sodium tartrate as the esterification catalyst following a pad-dry-cure technique. Treatment of cotton fabric with 8% EDTA in presence of 8% catalyst followed by drying at 95°C for 5 min and curing at 140°C for 5 min produced optimum results in respect of exhaustion and fixation of reactive dyes having chlorotriazine and vinyl sulphone reactive groups when dyeing was accomplished in absence of salt. Colourfastness to wash, light, and rubbing of cotton for application of reactive dyes remain unaltered for such prior modification with EDTA. IR spectroscopy indicated incorporation of amine in polymeric chains of cotton via establishment of ester linkages between carboxyl groups of the EDTA and hydroxyl groups of the cotton cellulose on pad-dry-cure.