Chemical Modification of Jute Fibers for Improving its Hydrophobicity and Dyeability with Reactive Dyes

Sharfun Nahar Arju , Md. Afsar Ali

Dyeability of jute fabrics with reactive dyes is not very good due to its high crystallinity and high degree of orientation. To achieve this goal with a view to improving the dyeability of jute fabrics, a new approach of chemical modification of jute fibers has been proposed. Indosol-E50 (polyethylene polyamine), Glycidyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (Glytac) as well as conventional sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were used as modifiers for surface modification of jute fibers. In addition, reactive dye with and without sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) was used to observe the nature of modification of jute fibers. Treated fibers were characterized by water absorbency, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra, color measurement, and wash fastness test. Application of Indosol E-50 changes the hydrophilic nature of the jute fibers significantly. Compared to the raw jute fibers, the modified jute fibers treated with reactive dye without using NaCl and Na2CO3had higher color strength (K/S) values under the same dye concentration. Furthermore, the dyeing of Glytac (with NaOH) and Indosol E-50 treated jute fibers ensured higher K/S, fixation, and better washing fastness and rendered the fiber surface more hydrophobic than those of raw jute fibers.