Dyeing and functional finishing of cotton fabric using Henna extract and TiO2 Nano-sol

A new approach for dyeing and functional finishing for cotton fabric using Henna extract and TiO 2 nano-sol was investigated. In this study, 3-chloro-2-hydroxy propyl trimethylammonium chloride was used to substitute metallic mordants (heavy-metal salts) in pre-treating cotton fabric. This eventually will prevent heavy metal pollution as well as obtain dyeing without addition of salt. TiO 2 nano-sol was prepared by sol-gel method using different amounts of tetraisopropyl orthotitanate (TTIP) and applied on cationized cotton fabrics using the same finishing formulation and treatment sequence. Treated fabrics were then dyed with Henna extract at different dyeing temperatures (60 ℃, 80 ℃, and 90 ℃). TiO 2 nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The chemical and morphological structures of the dyed fabrics were characterized by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Color strength, fastness properties (washing, rubbing, and light), UV-blocking, antibacterial activity, and tensile strength were investigated. Samples treated with TiO 2 and dyed with Henna extract exhibited outstanding enhancement in both the UV protection and antibacterial efficacy with minimal impact on color depth and tensile strength. Enhancement or decrement in the UV protection, antibacterial activity and dyeing properties are governed by the amount of TTIP and the dyeing temperature.