Fixation of vitamin E microcapsules on dyed cotton fabrics

•Fixation of vitamin E microcapsules on dyed cotton knit by pad-dry-cure method.•Softener was treated in a simultaneous step with microcapsules or in a separate step.•Microcapsules particles containing vitamin E were stable to the process of laundering, rubbing and ironing.•The K/S value and hue of dyed fabrics were hardly affected by process conditions or process order.•Colorfastness to repeated washing was improved by microcapsules and softener treatments.

The fixation of vitamin E microcapsules was carried out by pad-dry-cure method on dyed cotton knit. Cotton knit was dyed with natural indigo, and subsequently treated with microcapsules containing vitamin E. In order to improve the hand of the microcapsules-treated fabric, a softener was treated in a simultaneous step with microcapsules or in a separate step after dyeing process.It was confirmed by SEM analysis that microcapsules were fixed on cotton fibers. Melamine–formaldehyde microcapsules containing vitamin E was stable during the process of repeated washing, rubbing and ironing. LC–MS analysis indicated that the amount of vitamin E decreased gradually with elapsed time. Regardless of the softener treatment order, softness improved and air permeability decreased. The K/S value and hue of dyed fabrics were hardly affected by process conditions or process order. Colorfastness to repeated washing was improved by microcapsules and softener treatments. Based on the obtained experimental results, it can be concluded that the fixation of vitamin E microcapsules on dyed cotton knit by pad-dry-cure method was very reliable in terms of durability of microcapsules and color stability of the treated fabrics.

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