Dyeing Properties of Modified Gemini Surfactants on a Disperse Dye—polyester System

Abstract

We have studied the dispersing abilities of a series of modified Gemini surfactants toward commercial disperse dyes at elevated temperature, and the corresponding effects during polyester dyeing. From measurements of the dispersibilities and particle sizes of the dye solutions, we found that the surfactants exhibited good dispersing ability. Spectrophotometric methods confirmed that dye—surfactant complexes had formed. During the dyeing of polyester fabrics, the dyeing rate decreased when the surfactants were present because the hydrophilic dye—surfactant complexes enhanced the solubility of the disperse dyes.