Novel Aminocoumarin Dye for Sustainable Polyester Fabric Dyeing: Synthesis and Performance Evaluation

Abstract

Abstract The textile sector is regarded as one of the most environmentally damaging industries in the world. There are several factors that contribute to the unsustainability of textiles and clothing, including the use of hazardous chemicals, high water and energy consumption, generation of solid and gaseous waste, consumption of fuel for transportation to remote locations, and use of non-biodegradable packaging materials. Moreover, it is estimated that textile treatments such as dyeing and finishing are responsible for 20% of all water pollution. Especially textile dyes can pose significant harm to the environment and human health. Disperse dyeing of polyester requires large quantities of chemicals. Additionally, some disperse dyes contain hazardous chemicals that can cause skin irritation and respiratory problems in workers and consumers. In this study, we synthesized 7-ethylamino-3-acetylcoumarin dye using the Knoevenagel reaction, and the dyeing process of polyester fabric with the novel type of this coumarin dye was applied. The structural and chemical analyses were performed using micro-FTIR, FTIR, NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and cell viability. The evaluation of the coloured fabric's fastness against washing, rubbing, and an artificial light source representative of natural daylight (D65) were also carried out using standard methods. It was found that the best result came from dyeing polyester with coumarin in an acidic condition for 45 minutes and then washing it reductively. The study provides valuable insights into the development of new dyes with improved properties and their application to fabric dyeing, which can contribute to the sustainability and environmental impact of the textile industry.