Modification of cellulosic fibers to enhance their dyeability using UV-irradiation

► We modified the cellulose fiber with UV irradiation in order to enhance the dyeability. ► The cellulose fiber was also modified by applying conventional mercerization technique. ► The UV irradiated and mercerized cellulosic fibers were dyed using direct dyes. ► The final results after the pretreatments using both the techniques were compared and discussed. ► The UV irradiated cellulosic fabrics have shown better dye uptake as compared to the mercerized one.