Preparation of disperse dye/latex dispersion for printing of cellulose fabric

A dispersion was prepared from disperse dye and latex composite (disperse dye/latex composite) by the method of miniemulsion polymerization. Different types of costabilizers, emulsifiers and initiators were tested for optimizing miniemulsion polymerization which was critical to achieve high-performance dispersion for printing of cellulosic fabric. Experimental results showed that hexadecane (HD), allyloxy nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether ammonium sulfate (DNS-86) and ammonium persulfate (APS) were suitable for use as costabilizer, emulsifier and initiator in miniemulsion polymerization. An optimal dispersion was obtained by using 14.4 mmol L−1 DNS-86, a 1:100 mass ratio of HD to styrene and a 7.5:100 mass ratio of APS to styrene. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) suggested that copolymerization took place between DNS-86 and styrene. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the spherical particles were formed and uniformly distributed in the dispersion. Printing cellulose fabric with the disperse dye/latex composite produced higher color strength and color fastness than the original disperse dye.

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► A disperse dye/latex composite dispersion was prepared by miniemulsion polymerization.
► A polymerizable emulsifier can enhance the stability of the prepared dispersion.
► Hexadecane was selected for miniemulsion polymerization.
► The prepared dispersion could be directly applied for printing cellulose fabric.