Micelle dyeing with low liquor ratio for reactive dyes using dialkyl maleic acid ester surfactants

Micelle dyeing with low liquor ratio is novel fabric dyeing method for cleaner production. Preparation and interaction of dye-surfactant micelles using dibutyl maleic acid ester sodium sulfate surfactant were investigated by UV–Vis spectra. Dyeing properties of cellulose fabrics using micelle dyeing with low liquor ratio were discussed by color yields (K/S), color differences (ΔE), exhaustion (E), fixation (F) and reactivity (R) of three reactive dyes. The results show that reactive dye molecules could be solved in surfactant micelles and form stable dye-surfactant micelles. Micelles formed by dibutyl maleic acid ester sodium sulfate had good anti-agglomeration effect on dye solutions. Liquor ratio of micelle dyeing for cellulose fabrics could be reduced from 1:15 to 1:5. Leveling properties of three reactive dyes using micelle dyeing were good. The exhaustion, fixation and reactivity of all three dyes using micelle dyeing were similar with the conventional dyeing technology. Wet rubbing, washing and perspiration fastnesses of dyed samples using micelle dyeing were also good. Micelle dyeing with low liquor ratio can save a large amount of water and energy.